Journeys: Spine. Stop 3

Bumps

An experiment for two! Bend forward, and let a grown-up run a finger down your back from top to bottom.

Can you feel bumps?

Each bump is a vertebra. There are 24, and 9 more have grown together at the bottom.

Bend a little more so your back is round. The bumps will stick out.

Now turn your head left and right. What turns, your neck or your back?

Yes, the neck! The neck bones are the smallest and the most bendy.

Turn your head again. Your back stays still, and your neck turns.

The spine bends forwards, backwards and sideways because it is made of lots of small vertebrae with cushions.

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