Question

What would have happened if our backbone was made of one single bone?

Answer 1

Backbone :

1. The backbone is a curved, vertical rod-like structure, about 70cm long, located in the mid-dorsal line of the neck and trunk.
2. It is formed of small ring-shaped bony pieces called vertebrae to provide axial flexibility.
3. The total number of vertebrae in man is 26.
4. The sacrum is formed by the fusion of five vertebrae, and similarly, the coccyx is formed of four fused caudals; hence the total number of vertebrae comes to 33.
5. All vertebrae are of amphiplatyan type, which indicates that the centrum is flat on both sides.

If the backbone was made of one single bone :

1. Since the vertebral column is made of approximately 26 small ring-shaped bony pieces, which are joined by various types of joints such as disc joints and facet joints, this allows our backbone to twist and turn as one pleases.
2. If the backbone was made of one single bone, it would be impossible to twist and turn.