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

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

Any form of neck manipulation should only be performed by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or a licensed Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) after a thorough examination to rule out risk factors such as vertebral artery insufficiency or elevated stroke risk. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 12 May 2025

Known for its distinctive yellow vertebral stripe — a feature that would give the species its name — this small frog was initially collected at the vast Hacienda San Ignacio de Pemehue, nestled in the province of Malleco within Chile’s La Araucanía Region. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The internal carotid arteries run along the front of the neck, whereas the vertebral arteries run along the back of the neck. —Alicen Nelson Md, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 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)