(anatomy) Any of the bony or cartilaginous segments which make up the backbone, consisting in some lower vertebrates of several distinct elements which never become united, and in higher vertebrates having a short more or less cylindrical body whose ends articulate by pads of elastic or cartilaginous tissue with those of adjacent vertebrae and a bony arch that encloses the spinal cord.

plural of vertebra; the bones that make up the spinal column.

plural of vertebra

Any of the four vertebrae that are found in the human coccyx.

(anatomy) Any of the seven vertebrae of the neck.

(anatomy) Any of the five vertebra that are fused to form the sacrum.

(anatomy) Any of the five vertebrae in the loin or lower back region of the spine.

(anatomy) Any of the twelve vertebrae in the chest region of the spine.

plural of lumbar vertebra

plural of anticlinal vertebra