Vertebralrand

Vertebralrand is a German-language anatomical term that translates to vertebral margin in English. It is a descriptive concept rather than a designation of a single, distinct structure. In use, the term can refer to any of the borders or edges of a vertebra depending on the context of the description—such as the margins of the vertebral body, the edges of the vertebral arch, or the borders that contact adjacent structures like intervertebral discs, pedicles, or facet joints.

In medical imaging and surgical planning, vertebralrand is used to describe where the vertebra ends or meets surrounding tissues. Clinicians may specify superior or inferior borders of the vertebral body, or anterior and posterior borders of the vertebral arch, when outlining alignment, fractures, degenerative changes, or corrective approaches. The concept helps convey clear boundaries for interpretation without implying a unique anatomic feature.

The vertebralrand interacts with other anatomic components such as the vertebral endplates, cortical rim, and the vertebral canal. Its appearance and clarity on radiographs, CT, or MRI contribute to assessments of vertebral integrity, alignment, and pathology.

In multilingual contexts, the term is more common in German-language texts; English-language sources typically use phrases like “vertebral margins” or “borders of the vertebra.” The concept remains a general, context-dependent descriptor rather than a named anatomical structure.