Medically reviewed by Jennifer Steinhoff, MD Key Takeaways The lumbar spine includes five vertebrae that help with mobility and stability.Lumbar vertebrae are larger because they carry the load from ...

It has long been known that the identity of each vertebra is due to the activation of a class of genes called "Hox." Now, researchers in Portugal show that besides determining the identity of the ...

Selam is a 3.3 million-year-old toddler and human ancestor whose skeleton provides clues on how we transitioned to walking upright. Zeray Alemseged/University of Chicago Fossils of an ancient child’s ...

Early hominins had 12 thoracic vertebrae like we do Image courtesy of Zeresenay Alemseged. The well preserved remains of a 3.3 million-year-old Australopithecus Afarensis have revealed that the spine ...

The skeleton allows movement, provides support and protection for vital organs and makes blood cells. Skeletal muscles move the bones in the body. The skeletal system is made from bones and joints.