Definition of vertebra Vertebra

/vɚˈtʌbɹʌ/ - [vertubru] - ver•te•bra

We found 7 definitions of vertebra from 6 different sources.

What does vertebra mean?

Noun Plural: vertebrae
vertebra - one of the bony segments of the spinal column
		bone, os a shade of white the color of bleached bones
		spinal column, vertebral column, rachis, backbone, spine, back the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back"
		centrum the main body of a vertebra
		apophysis (anatomy) a natural outgrowth or projection on an organ or body part such as the process of a vertebra
		transverse process one of two processes that extend from each vertebra and provide the point of articulation for the ribs
		cervical vertebra, neck bone one of 7 vertebrae in the human spine located in the neck region
		dorsal vertebra, thoracic vertebra one of 12 vertebrae in the human vertebral column; thoracic vertebrae extend from the seventh cervical vertebra down to the first lumbar vertebra
		lumbar vertebra one of 5 vertebrae in the human vertebral column; lumbar vertebrae extend from the twelfth thoracic vertebra down to the sacral vertebrae
		sacral vertebra one of 5 vertebrae in the human spine that fuse in the adult to form the sacrum

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vertebra (n.)
One of the serial segments of the spinal column.
vertebra (n.)
One of the central ossicles in each joint of the arms of an ophiuran.

Vertebrae (singular: "vertebra") are the individual irregular bones that make up the spinal column ("aka" ischis) — a flexuous and flexible column.

There are normally thirty-three (33) vertebrae in humans, including the five that are fused to form the sacrum (the others are separated by intervertebral discs) and the four coccygeal bones which form the "tailbone".

The upper three regions comprise the remaining 24, and are grouped under the names "cervical" (7 vertebrae), "thoracic" (12 vertebrae) and "lumbar" (5 vertebrae), according to the regions they occupy.