vertebral

adjective

ver·​te·​bral (ˌ)vər-ˈtē-brəl  ˈvər-tə- 

: of, relating to, or being vertebrae or the vertebral column : spinal

a vertebral fracture

Examples of vertebral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022, Osbourne had a series of spinal surgeries during which a vertebral tumor was discovered. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2025

The vertebral arteries, also located in the neck, feed the upper part of the spinal cord and the back of the brain. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 20 July 2025

While Rare, Neck Cracking Can Damage a Critical Artery The scariest potential consequence of neck cracking is what’s called a vertebral artery dissection, in other words, a tear in an artery. —Julia Ries, Outside Online, 20 June 2025

According to Laker, the vertebral artery is a blood vessel that runs through the bones in your neck that feeds your brain stem and part of your spinal cord. —Julia Ries, Outside Online, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vertebral

• vertebral arch
• vertebral body
• vertebral canal
• vertebral column
• vertebral foramen

Rhymes for vertebral

• intervertebral
• paravertebral

Kids Definition

vertebral

adjective

ver·​te·​bral (ˌ)vər-ˈtē-brəl  ˈvərt-ə- 

: of, relating to, or made up of vertebrae : spinal

Medical Definition

vertebral

1 of 2 adjective

ver·​te·​bral (ˌ)vər-ˈtē-brəl  ˈvərt-ə- 

1

: of, relating to, or being vertebrae or the spinal column : spinal

2

: composed of or having vertebrae

vertebral

2 of 2 noun

: a vertebral part or element (as an artery)