How many pairs of spinal nerves are present in the human body?

The correct number of pairs of spinal nerves present in the human body is 31. Each pair of spinal nerves corresponds to a segment of the spinal cord and is responsible for transmitting information between the spinal cord and specific areas of the body. Specifically, there are eight cervical pairs, twelve thoracic pairs, five lumbar pairs, five sacral pairs, and one coccygeal pair, making a total of 31 pairs.

The options provided reflect misunderstandings about human anatomy; for instance, the choice that suggests 12 likely confuses the number of thoracic spinal nerves with the total count of spinal nerves. Similarly, the choice of 24 does not account for the complete distribution of spinal nerves across all regions of the spine, and the choice of 45 significantly overestimates the number of spinal nerve pairs. Understanding the anatomy and function of these nerves is crucial for a shorthand reporter working in legal and medical settings, as it impacts terminology related to body systems and functions in verbatim transcripts.