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 one study, participants who breathed nasally, a route known to cool the brain via the vertebral venous plexus, showed zero incidence of contagious yawning. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Veterinarians determined the vertebral injury was too severe for recovery and humanely euthanized her. —Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 20 Feb. 2026

And vertebral growth plates are surprisingly useful as plates, trays, or cutting boards. —ArsTechnica, 17 Feb. 2026

After his first tournament, he was sidelined for six weeks with a vertebral fracture. —Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026

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)