Final answer:
The vertebral column has four curvatures which aid in its strength, flexibility, and shock absorption capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vertebral column possesses four curvatures: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrococcygeal curves. These include two primary curvatures, thoracic and sacrococcygeal, retained from the original fetal curvature, and two secondary curvatures, cervical and lumbar, which develop after birth.
The existence of these curvatures contributes to the vertebral column's strength, flexibility, and ability to absorb shock, especially under increased loads such as carrying a heavy backpack.