Pronunciation: [vˈɜːtɪbɹə] (IPA) 
The word "vertebra" is spelled with the letters v-e-r-t-e-b-r-a in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈvɜːrtɪbrə/ . The "vert" part of the word comes from the Latin "vertere", meaning "to turn". The "br" comes from the Latin "brachium", meaning "arm". So "vertebra" literally means "a bone that turns like an arm". It refers to the individual bones that stack up to form the spinal column in humans and animals.
A vertebra is a specialized bone that makes up the building blocks of the vertebral column, also known as the spinal column or backbone. It is an essential component of the axial skeleton and provides structural support and protection to the spinal cord.
Each vertebra is characterized by a cylindrical body, also known as the centrum or corpus, with a central hollow space that forms the vertebral foramen. These bodies are stacked on top of each other, forming a flexible column that allows motion and stability to the spine as a whole.
Vertebrae are classified into different regions based on their location and shape. The main regions include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Each region varies in number, size, and structure to adapt to the specific functions it serves.
The vertebral column functions to support the weight of the body, protect the spinal cord, and enable various movements, such as bending, twisting, and flexing. Ligaments and muscles surrounding the vertebrae provide additional stability and support.
In addition to their structural role, vertebrae also contribute to the production and maintenance of red and white blood cells through the bone marrow contained within them.
Any abnormalities or injuries to the vertebrae can have serious implications on the spinal cord and its associated functions. Proper care and maintenance of the vertebrae are crucial to ensuring overall spinal health and the proper functioning of the nervous system.
One of the segments of the spinal column; in man there are thirty-three vertebrae, 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused into one bone, the sacrum), and 4 coccygeal (fused into one bone, the coccyx).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "vertebra" has its roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "vertere", which means "to turn". In Latin, "vertere" was used to describe the movement of joints or bones, particularly in the vertebral column. Over time, "vertebra" came to specifically refer to the individual bones that make up the spinal column or backbone.
