vertebrae

Column's bony links

Vertebrae is the plural of vertebra, one of the small bones that form the spinal column in humans and other animals with backbones.

These interlocking bones protect the spinal cord while allowing the spine to bend and twist.

The term appears frequently in medical contexts: The X-ray showed two cracked vertebrae.

Animals with vertebrae are called vertebrates, distinguishing them from invertebrates like insects and jellyfish.

anatomy

cervical

Of the neck

thoracicOf the chest region
lumbarOf the lower spine
sacrumFused vertebrae above tailbone

coccyx · atlas · axis · disc · foramen · lamina · pedicle · facet · transverse · process

conditions

scoliosis

Lateral vertebral deviation

kyphosisHunched back condition
lordosisAbnormal spinal curvature inward
herniationOrgan protruding abnormally

stenosis · fracture · compression · fusion · degeneration · bulging · arthritis · osteoporosis · whiplash · sciatica

clinical

chiropractic

Spine-focused alternative medicine

alignmentCorrect relative positioning
manipulationUnderhanded control of others
adjustmentAlteration to improve fit

MRI · X-ray · orthopedic · neurosurgeon · discectomy · laminectomy · spinal · tap · epidural · traction

comparative

mammal

Warm-blooded, milk-producing animal

reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
fishGilled aquatic vertebrate
birdFeathered flying vertebrate

amphibian · snake · giraffe · whale · dolphin · fossil · dinosaur · paleontology · evolution · notochord

Categories

osteologyosteology, bone structure, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, ossification
body partsarm, leg, hand, back, chest
bonesskull, femur, tibia, skulls, humerus
musculoskeletalbone, bones, muscle, muscles, joint
skeletal systemskull, femur, tibia, fibula, humerus
skeletonskull, pelvis, ribs, sternum, clavicle

Opposites

skeletal structure type

vertebraeribs

Thoracic bone set

skull · pelvis · sternum · exoskeleton · cartilage

presence of spinal column

vertebraeinvertebrate

Animal sans backbone

exoskeleton · hydrostatic skeleton · spineless · boneless · soft-bodied

Phrases

thoracic vertebraeTwelve spinal bones behind chest
vertebral bodySpine segment's main mass
caudal vertebraeSpinal bones of tails
lumbar vertebraeBones of lower back
vertebral columnSegmented axial skeletal structure
vertebral discSpinal column's cushioning tissue

Family

invertebrate, vertebrate, vertebra, vertebrates, vertebral, vertebral column, intervertebral

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G