vertebra

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvəːtɪbrə/

noun (plural vertebrae /-breɪ, -briː/)

  • each of the series of small bones forming the backbone, having several projections for articulation and muscle attachment, and a hole through which the spinal cord passes: the needle is inserted between two of the vertebrae she crushed a vertebra in a fall at Chepstow
  • In the human spine (or vertebral column) there are seven cervical vertebrae (in the neck), twelve thoracic vertebrae (to which the ribs are attached), and five lumbar vertebrae (in the lower back). In addition, five fused vertebrae form the sacrum, and four the coccyx

Derivatives

vertebral

adjective

Origin:

early 17th century: from Latin, from vertere 'to turn'

Spelling help

The plural of vertebra is vertebrae (as in the original Latin).