Vertebrae are the small circular bones that form the spine of a human being or animal.
vertebra in British English
(ˈvɜːtɪbrə)
nounWord forms: plural-brae (-briː) or -bras
one of the bony segments of the spinal column
Derived forms
vertebral (ˈvertebral)
adjective
vertebrally (ˈvertebrally)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Latin: joint of the spine, from vertere to turn
vertebra in American English
(ˈvɜrtəbrə)
nounWord forms: pluralˈverteˌbrae (ˈvɜrtəˌbri; ˈvɜrtəˌbreɪ) or ˈvertebras
any of the single bones or segments of the spinal column, articulating in the higher vertebrates with those adjacent to it by means of elastic fibrous disks
Word origin
L, a joint, vertebra < vertere, to turn: see verse
Examples of 'vertebra' in a sentence
vertebra
It showed inflammation in the bottom vertebrae of the spine.
The Sun (2012)
She needed surgery to fuse two vertebrae in her neck with bone from her hip.
The Sun (2016)
He discovered that disease was caused by the spinal vertebrae slipping out of position.
Campbell, Eileen & Brennan, J. H. Dictionary of Mind, Body and Spirit (1994)
He fractured two vertebrae and was left paralysed from the neck down.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was suffering huge pain from two crushed vertebrae in the back.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Bottom two vertebrae more or less locked.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He had surgery on his fractured vertebrae on Friday.
The Sun (2013)
But the next day he went to hospital in agony and tests showed he had fractured an upper vertebrae and slipped a disc.
The Sun (2013)
I would lose all flexibility in my spine where the vertebrae were to be fused.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I fractured two vertebrae in my spine.
The Sun (2012)
I fractured vertebrae in my neck and damaged my spinal cord.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
I had also cracked two vertebrae in my back.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A bone fragment from her hip was used to fuse two fractured vertebrae in her neck.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
An operation involved cutting into his spinal cord, removing three vertebrae and rebuilding his neck with metal bands.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Also, speak to your doctor about surgery to remove the bulging disc and fuse the two vertebrae either side.
The Sun (2015)
She had a neck operation which involved having a piece of bone taken from her hip to help fuse together two fractured vertebrae in her neck.
The Sun (2016)
She suffered fractured vertebrae but her spinal cord has not been injured and her mobility will not be permanently affected, she said.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I hit him and then a tree, cracking three or four vertebrae in my back.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Women have three of these vertebrae, compared with only two in men, meaning they can flex their spine more easily.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Word lists with
vertebra
bone
In other languages
vertebra
British English: vertebra NOUN
Vertebrae are the small circular bones that form the spine of a human being or animal.