vertebra

American  

[vur-tuh-bruh] / ˈvɜr tə brə /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

vertebrae, vertebras

1. any of the bones or segments composing the spinal column, consisting typically of a cylindrical body and an arch with various processes, and forming a foramen, or opening, through which the spinal cord passes.

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vertebra British  

/ ˈvɜːtɪbrə /

noun

1. one of the bony segments of the spinal column

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vertebra Scientific  

/ vûr′tə-brə /

plural

vertebrae

1. Any of the bones that make up the vertebral column. Each vertebra contains an arched, hollow section through which the spinal cord passes. In humans, the vertebrae are divided into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sections, and the sacrum and coccyx are both made up of a series of fused vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated by cartilaginous intervertebral disks.

2. See more at skeleton

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Other Word Forms

• vertebral
  adjective
• vertebrally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of vertebra

1570–80; < Latin: (spinal) joint, equivalent to verte ( re ) to turn ( see verse) + -bra noun suffix

Explanation

A vertebra is one of the little bones in your spinal column; there are vertebrae up and down your back. Your whole body is full of bones, and one of those types of bones are vertebrae: the bones in your back. These bones are very important because they protect your spinal column, which allows your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. A serious back injury could damage a vertebra, resulting in pain or spinal damage. If you bend over and then straighten up slowly, you can feel yourself rising one vertebra at a time.

Example Sentences

Figure 7.23 Parts of a Typical Vertebra A typical vertebra consists of a body and a vertebral arch.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

But there’s no denying that the Vertebra had style.

From Slate • May 30, 2012

The Vertebra chair, on the other hand, was a body-conscious chair that looked like art.

From Slate • May 30, 2012

The fourth Pair is the Cephalopharyng�us which ariseth from the articulation of the Head with the first Vertebra, and closeth the Larynx.

From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel

The Scalenus or Triangularis hath two remote Sources, viz. one in the first Rib, and the other in the Clavicle, and is fasten'd to the third and fourth Vertebra of the Neck.

From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel