vertebral

Vertebral is an adjective referring to the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine. In humans, the vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae arranged in seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral (fused) and four coccygeal (fused) vertebrae. The vertebral column protects the spinal cord, supports the head and trunk, and provides a flexible axis for movement.

A typical vertebra has a vertebral body at the front, which bears weight, and a vertebral arch at the back that forms the vertebral foramen. The arch is built from pedicles and laminae and gives rise to several processes: a spinous process at the midline and two transverse processes laterally. Superior and inferior articular processes form the facet joints with adjacent vertebrae. The vertebral foramina of successive vertebrae align to enclose the spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord or cauda equina in adults. Between adjacent vertebral bodies lie intervertebral discs, which act as cushions and allow limited motion.

Cervical vertebrae characteristically have transverse foramina for the passage of the vertebral arteries. Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord through intervertebral foramina between adjacent vertebrae.

The sacrum and coccyx result from fusion of several vertebrae. Common vertebral conditions include fractures, disc herniation, and degenerative changes such as spondylosis. Diagnostic imaging such as X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging focuses on vertebral integrity and alignment.