overhead

Vertebrates

All animals can be classified into two main groups: those that have backbones, and those that do not.

Humans and many other familiar animals belong to the group having backbones.

The backbone is made up of a number of separate bones called vertebrae. An animal that has a backbone is called a vertebrate.

The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, an important nerve column that connects the brain to other parts of the body.