vertebr-

1. a combining form of vertebra:

   vertebral.

Example Sentences

The transverse apophyses of the vertebr of the neck, and the sixth and seventh vertebr.

From Project Gutenberg

As in man there are only five lumber vertebr, but in monkeys there are six or seven.

From Project Gutenberg

The os sacrum is composed of five vertebr, as in man, but in apes or monkeys of only three.

From Project Gutenberg

The vertebr of the neck are short, flat before, and their spinal apophyses are not forked.

From Project Gutenberg

A part of the head only, with a portion of the lower extremities, and a few of the vertebr, had escaped combustion.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use vertebr-

What does vertebr- mean?

Vertebr– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “vertebra” or “vertebral.” The vertebrae are the bones in the spinal column. Vertebro– is occasionally used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Vertebr– comes from Latin vertebra, meaning “(spinal) joint.” The Greek translation of vertebra is spóndylos, meaning “vertebra, joint,” which is the source of the combining form spondylo–. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article on spondylo-.

What are variants of vertebr-?

Vertebr– is a variant of vertebro–, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on vertebro-.

Examples of vertebr-

One example of a medical term that features the form vertebr– is vertebrectomy, “excision of a vertebra.”

The element vertebr– means “vertebra,” and –ectomy means “excision,” from Latin –ectomia. Vertebrectomy literally translates to “vertebra excision.”

What are some words that use the combining form vertebr-?

• vertebral
• vertebrate (using the equivalent form of vertebr– in Latin)
• vertebration (using the equivalent form of vertebr– in Latin)
• vertebratus (using the equivalent form of vertebr– in Latin)

What are some other forms that vertebr– may be commonly confused with?

• ventro-
• vesic-
• viro-

Break it down!

The suffix –al means “of the kind of, pertaining to, having the form or character of.” With this in mind, what does vertebral mean?