The spelling of the word "vertebrae spuriae" can be tricky due to its Latin origin. The first two words, "vertebrae," are pronounced as /vɜrˈtɛbri/. The last word, "spuriae," is pronounced as /spʊˈri.i/. It contains two syllables with stress on the first, "spur," and a "-iae" ending indicating the plural form of an adjective. "Vertebrae" refers to the small bones forming the spine, while "spuriae" refers to "false" or "aberrant" bones that don't belong in the normal spinal column.
Vertebrae spuriae is a term used in human anatomy to refer to extra, or supernumerary, vertebrae that can be found in the spinal column. The word "vertebrae" originates from the Latin word "vertebra," meaning a joint or a joint element, referring to each of the individual bones that make up the vertebral column. On the other hand, "spuriae" is a Latin term used to indicate something that is false, irregular, or abnormal.
Vertebrae spuriae are characterized by the presence of additional vertebrae in the spinal column, which can occur in various regions such as the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle back), lumbar (lower back), or sacral (pelvic) regions. This phenomenon is considered an anatomical variant since the typical number of vertebrae in each region of the spine often remains constant in most individuals.
The presence of vertebral anomalies such as vertebrae spuriae may not cause any symptoms or pose significant health risks in many cases. However, in some instances, they can result in abnormalities in the alignment or curvature of the spine, leading to potential issues such as back pain, reduced mobility, or nerve compression. Therefore, the presence and location of extra vertebrae are crucial considerations in medical evaluations, especially when assessing patients with spinal abnormalities or chronic back problems.
Overall, vertebrae spuriae serve as an umbrella term for the presence of supernumerary vertebrae within the vertebral column, indicating the existence of additional or irregular joint elements in the spinal structure.
False vertebrae, the fused vertebral segments of the sacrum and cocoyx.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "vertebrae spuriae" has its etymology rooted in Latin.
The word "vertebrae" comes from the Latin word "vertebra", which means "joint" or "a turning point". In the context of anatomy, "vertebrae" refers specifically to the individual bones that make up the spinal column.
The term "spuriae" is derived from the Latin word "spurius", which means "illegitimate" or "false". In anatomy, "spuriae" is used to designate something that is considered abnormal or not part of the typical structure.
So, when combined, "vertebrae spuriae" refers to "false vertebrae" or "abnormal vertebrae" that are not part of the normal vertebral column.