Do human females have an extra vertebrae in their backs?

Answer 1

No, although some people have extra vertebrae in their backs, it is not determined by gender. Roughly 10-15% of people have a genetic spinal abnormality and an extra lumbar vertebrae (L6) is the most common of these abnormalities. There are varying opinions whether this causes adverse medical issues. Sometimes, the L6 vertebrae can become "sacralized," or attached to the sacrum by a rudimentary joint that creates additional motion therefore causing a greater potential for motion related stress which can lead to lower Back pain. The L6 disc is is susceptible to the conditions that can affect the other vertebrae such as herniated or bulging disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis- all of which can occur at any level of the spine.