Word Meanings - VERTEBRA - Book Publishers vocabulary database

One of the serial segments of the spinal column. Note: In many fishes the vertebræ are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebræ in different portions of the

Additional info about word: VERTEBRA

One of the serial segments of the spinal column. Note: In many fishes the vertebræ are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebræ 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 vertebræ which bear well- developed ribs, a tubercle near the end of the rib articulates at a tubercular facet on the transverse process , 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 . In vertebrates with well-developed hind limbs, the spinal column is divided into five regions in each of which the vertebræ are specially designated: those vertebræ 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 vertebræ, twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely three, coccygeal.

Related words: (words related to VERTEBRA)

• COMPOSITOUS
  Belonging to the Compositæ; composite. Darwin.
• DIFFERENTIALLY
  In the way of differentiation.
• HIGHER-UP
  A superior officer or official; -- used chiefly in pl.
• SHORT-WITED
  Having little wit; not wise; having scanty intellect or judgment.
• SERIALLY
  In a series, or regular order; in a serial manner; as, arranged serially; published serially.
• HIGHERING
  Rising higher; ascending. In ever highering eagle circles. Tennyson.
• DIFFERENTLY
  In a different manner; variously.
• COLUMN
  A kind of pillar; a cylindrical or polygonal support for a roof, ceiling, statue, etc., somewhat ornamented, and usually composed of base, shaft, and capital. See Order. 2. Anything resembling, in form or position, a column an architecture;
• COMPOSURE
  1. The act of composing, or that which is composed; a composition. Signor Pietro, who had an admirable way both of composure and teaching. Evelyn. 2. Orderly adjustment; disposition. Various composures and combinations of these corpuscles.
• VERTEBRAL
  Of or pertaining to a vertebræ, or the vertebral column; spinal; rachidian. 2. Vertebrate.
• COMPOSSIBLE
  Able to exist with another thing; consistent. Chillingworth.
• SHORT CIRCUIT
  A circuit formed or closed by a conductor of relatively low resistance because shorter or of relatively great conductivity.
• COMPOSE
  To arrange in a composing stick in order for printing; to set . (more info) 1. To form by putting together two or more things or parts; to put together; to make up; to fashion. Zeal ought to be composed of the hidhest degrees of all
• DIFFERENT
  1. Distinct; separate; not the same; other. "Five different churches." Addison. 2. Of various or contrary nature, form, or quality; partially or totally unlike; dissimilar; as, different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different
• SHORT-HANDED
  Short of, or lacking the regular number of, servants or helpers.
• SHORTHEAD
  A sucking whale less than one year old; -- so called by sailors.
• COMPOSER
  1. One who composes; an author. Specifically, an author of a piece of music. If the thoughts of such authors have nothing in them, they at least . . . show an honest industry and a good intention in the composer. Addison. His most brilliant and
• COLUMNARITY
  The state or quality of being columnar.
• SHORTCAKE
  An unsweetened breakfast cake shortened with butter or lard, rolled thin, and baked.
• VERTEBRA
  One of the serial segments of the spinal column. Note: In many fishes the vertebræ are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebræ in different portions of the
• INDECOMPOSABLENESS
  Incapableness of decomposition; stability; permanence; durability.
• SACROVERTEBRAL
  Of or pertaining to the sacrum and that part of the vertebral column immediately anterior to it; as, the sacrovertebral angle.
• INVERTEBRATE
  Destitute of a backbone; having no vertebræ; of or pertaining to the Invertebrata. -- n.
• INVERTEBRATA
  A comprehensive division of the animal kingdom, including all except the Vertebrata.
• DECOMPOSE
  To separate the constituent parts of; to resolve into original elements; to set free from previously existing forms of chemical combination; to bring to dissolution; to rot or decay.
• SEMICOLUMNAR
  Like a semicolumn; flat on one side and round on the other; imperfectly columnar.
• INTERCARTILAGINOUS
  Within cartilage; endochondral; as, intercartilaginous ossification.
• INDIFFERENTLY
  In an indifferent manner; without distinction or preference; impartially; without concern, wish, affection, or aversion; tolerably; passably. That they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to