Talk:Spinal column

In the vertebrae section, it says: "Coccyx: 4 (3–5) (fused) vertebrae (Tailbone)"^[1]

The article about the Coccyx, however, says "Most anatomy books incorrectly state that the coccyx is normally fused in adults. In fact it has been shown that the coccyx may consist of up to five separate bony segments, the most common configuration being two or three segments."^[2]

Does this mean the section is incorrectly written?

179.97.129.16 (talk) 23:35, 9 April 2019 (UTC)

I can't help it but the photo with the Spina bifida looks like badly photoshopped. Is that permissible? I would say no. Opinions? Thanks. Peteruetz (talk) 13:57, 7 September 2021 (UTC)

I've noticed that source 5 on this page: (Bergman RA, Afifi AK, Miyauchi R. "Numerical Variation in Vertebral Column". Anatomy Atlase. Retrieved June 11, 2020.) includes racist language when talking about the differences between the number of vertebrae between people of different races. I don't know how to remove this source or how to change it but I think it is important to challenge outdated racist ideas and not continue to cite them as reliable resources. If anyone can remove this it would be great, and definitely improve the quality of information provided; thanks. 192.76.8.66 (talk) 11:01, 15 November 2022 (UTC)

The redirect Spine(anatomy) has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2023 December 29 § Spine(anatomy) until a consensus is reached. Steel1943 (talk) 22:45, 29 December 2023 (UTC)

The redirect Sacral and coccygeal vertebrae has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2023 December 29 § Sacral and coccygeal vertebrae until a consensus is reached. Steel1943 (talk) 22:55, 29 December 2023 (UTC)

The redirect Vertebral has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2023 December 29 § Vertebral until a consensus is reached. Steel1943 (talk) 23:06, 29 December 2023 (UTC)

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The redirect Ape vertebral column has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2024 January 3 § Ape vertebral column until a consensus is reached. Steel1943 (talk) 13:52, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

1) Whole article is backwards: should begin with vertebrate condition as a whole, i.e. evolved in sea, vertebral column to support swimming muscles. Then land animals, with horizontal spine, supported on legs: very different engineering. Then apes/humans with upright spine, different engineering again. I'd suggest the human account be split off to a separate article as it's grossly distorting the rest of the explanation for tens of thousands of species. Should also remove the repeated statements that animal backbones are much like human ones: a) not remotely true for fishes, and not especially accurate for snakes (to name just a couple); b) backwards.

2) Article doesn't say that the function of the column is to support swimming muscles! But with a human orientation it's maybe not surprising that a coherent view of function has been lost. Article needs a section on locomotion using the vertebral column, first swimming, then walking on 4 legs. Then the article needs to be split, as above. Chiswick Chap (talk) 10:32, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

I agree that article needs to be split into something like "Spinal column (human)" and "Vertebral column" that refer to each other. They are two separate topics that each lend themselves to a different type of article. Hypehuman (talk) 12:43, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

the image showcasing the human vertebral column also shows the skull which may mislead one to think the skull is part of the vertebral column Tlah6313 (talk) 15:54, 30 October 2025 (UTC)