Vertebra \Ver"te*bra\, n.; pl. {Vertebr[ae]}. [L. vertebra, fr. vertere to turn, change. See {Verse}.] 1. (Anat.) One of the serial segments of the spinal column.
Note: In many fishes the vertebr[ae] are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebr[ae] in different portions of the same column vary very greatly. A well-developed vertebra usually consists of a more or less cylindrical and solid body, or centrum, which is surmounted dorsally by an arch, leaving an opening which forms a part of the canal containing the spinal cord. From this dorsal, or neural, arch spring various processes, or apophyses, which have received special names: a dorsal, or neural, spine, spinous process, or neurapophysis, on the middle of the arch; two anterior and two posterior articular processes, or zygapophyses; and one or two transverse processes on each side. In those vertebr[ae] which bear well-developed ribs, a tubercle near the end of the rib articulates at a tubercular facet on the transverse process (diapophysis), while the end, or head, of the rib articulates at a more ventral capitular facet which is sometimes developed into a second, or ventral, transverse process (parapophysis). In vertebrates with well-developed hind limbs, the spinal column is divided into five regions in each of which the vertebr[ae] are specially designated: those vertebr[ae] in front of, or anterior to, the first vertebra which bears ribs connected with the sternum are cervical; all those which bear ribs and are back of the cervicals are dorsal; the one or more directly supporting the pelvis are sacral and form the sacrum; those between the sacral and dorsal are lumbar; and all those back of the sacral are caudal, or coccygeal. In man there are seven cervical vertebr[ae], twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely three, coccygeal.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the central ossicles in each joint of the arms of an ophiuran.
The fossils, including a complete skull and 10 pieces of cervical vertebrae, were found in the Junggar basin in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, it said.
So far the dig has recovered a jawbone, neck and tail vertebrae and chest bones, he said.
Montcouquiol suffered four broken or dislocated vertebrae that paralyzed his arms, legs and respiratory system, said neurological specialists at La Timone hospital in Marseilles.
There are signs that Tom Jones, now enjoying at 50 a popular renaissance, would like to go legit, to wow with his voice rather than his lower vertebrae.
Some of Dr. Marx's pictures show necks fractured and cervical vertebrae yanked out of alignment by robbers tearing off a necklace.
The 24-year-old pilot suffered fractured vertebrae and was questioned by a prosecutor in the hospital, the Italian news agency ANSA said.
His premise was that the displacement of vertebrae can interfere with nerves, disrupt the body's functioning and produce numerous ailments.
She will continue her rehabilitation from two fractured vertebrae at home, hospital spokeswoman Mary Costello said Monday.
Watridge said the surgery removed pieces of two vertebrae and some bone fragments from his spinal cord.
Front-end loader operator Walt Murch manipulated that large machine with infinite finesse, lifting the cervical vertebrae cast so that timbers could be placed underneath, giving the paleontologists room to work as they plastered the bottom holes.
In the study, 49 people were treated with one methylprednisolone acetate injection into the facet joints that connect the vertebrae and disks in the lower back; an additional 48 received a placebo.
The 24-year-old pilot suffered fractured vertebrae and was questioned by a prosecutor in the hospital, ANSA said.
Doctors rebuilt the vertebrae, but Vincent must still sometimes use a cane to walk.
Doctors at the Orthopedic Institute said at a news conference that two metal rods would be inserted into the fractured vertebrae in the operation.