The human vertebral column is composed of a series of bones called vertebrae. In an adult human, these are organized into five regions: Cervical (7), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacral (1 fused), and Coccygeal (1 fused).
Summing the vertebrae: $$7 + 12 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 26$$ Note that while there are 33 vertebrae in an infant, the sacrum and coccyx fuse in adults to form 26 distinct bony elements.
Option (A) 206 refers to the total number of bones in the adult human skeleton. Options (B) and (C) refer to specific regional counts (Cervical and Thoracic respectively). Option (D) 26 represents the correct total number of vertebrae in an adult.
Final Answer: 26
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