Vertebrae

Hey kiddo, do you know what your spine is? It's the long, bony structure that runs down your back and helps keep you upright!

Your spine is made up of little bones that are called vertebrae. Imagine your spine is like a train track, and the vertebrae are the train cars that make up the track. They are stacked on top of each other, one after the other, all the way down your back.

These vertebrae are very important because they protect your spinal cord, which is the big bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your spine. The spinal cord sends signals from your brain to the rest of your body, so you can move, feel, and do all the things you need to do.

Each vertebra looks kind of like a little donut, with a hole in the middle. When all the vertebrae are stacked together, the holes create a tunnel for the spinal cord to pass through.

The vertebrae also have little bony protrusions that stick out on each side. These are called "spinous processes," and you can actually feel them if you run your hand down your back. They help to anchor muscles and ligaments that are important for moving and supporting your back.

So, the bottom line is that the vertebrae are little bones that make up your spine, and they protect your spinal cord and help support your back. Cool, huh?