vertebral

adjective

: 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 Accumulation of loose vertebral bones in one of the transport boxes. Tess Joosse, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2023 Martill notes that the short length of the tail in relation to the body, structure of the pelvis, impressions of body scales, recurved teeth, high vertebral count and the shape of the vertebrae all make Tetrapodophis a snake. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2015 The sign implies that osteopaenic vertebral collapse and the need for mobility aids are to be expected with physical disability as well as with advancing age. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2010 The 43-foot-long, 20-year-old whale suffered multiple vertebral fractures and separations from a likely ship strike that would have resulted in death shortly after the injury. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023 First is the transverse foramina---the holes in their vertebrae through which the vertebral artery is threaded. Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2013 The accident left her with three fractured vertebrae, including an eighth thoracic vertebra (T8) vertebral burst fracture, burns on her arms and legs and a knee injury. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2022 On May 24, surgeons at St. Luke’s removed part of Garner’s vertebral bone to ease pressure on his spinal cord. Emilie Eaton, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Nov. 2021 The five lumbar vertebral bodies are the bones that are stacked on top of each other to form your lower spine. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vertebral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vertebral was circa 1681

Dictionary Entries Near vertebral

Cite this Entry

“Vertebral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertebral. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

vertebral

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

Medical Definition

vertebral

1 of 2 adjective
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on vertebral

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!