vertebra

ver·te·bra

noun \ˈvərt-ə-brə\

plural ver·te·brae \-ˌbrā, -(ˌ)brē\ or ver·te·bras

Definition of VERTEBRA

: any of the bony or cartilaginous segments that make up the spinal column and that have a short more or less cylindrical body whose ends articulate by pads of elastic or cartilaginous tissue with those of adjacent vertebrae and a bony arch that encloses the spinal cord

Illustration of VERTEBRA