vertebra
/ˈvəːtɪbrə
/- The neural spines in posterior dorsal vertebrae lack distinct lateral projections.
- The spine is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae, plus the sacrum and coccyx.
- A fracture of the transverse process of a lumbar vertebra may damage the ureter.
In the human spine (or vertebral column) there are seven cervical vertebrae (in the neck), twelve thoracic vertebrae (to which the ribs are attached), and five lumbar vertebrae (in the lower back). In addition, five fused vertebrae form the sacrum, and four the coccyx.
Derivatives
vertebral
/ adjective ...- In contrast to the cervical vertebral centra, the dorsal centrum is shorter and more mildly opisthocoelous.
- Many arterial branches arise from the vertebral and basilar artery to supply the medulla oblongata and the pons.
- The vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs also have to withstand high compressive loads.
Origin
Early 17th century: from Latin, from vertere 'to turn'.
verse from Old English:
In his poem ‘Digging’ (1966), Seamus Heaney resolves to carry on the family tradition of digging the soil by ‘digging’ himself, not with a spade like his father and grandfather, but with a pen. The link between agriculture and writing poetry goes all the way back to the origin of the word verse, as Latin versus meant both ‘a turn of the plough, furrow’ and ‘a line of writing’. The idea here is that of a plough turning and marking another straight line or furrow. Versus is also the source of versatile (early 17th century) and version (Late Middle English), and it is based on Latin vertere ‘to turn’, from which vertebra (early 17th century), vertical (mid 16th century), vertigo (Late Middle English), and many other words such as adverse (Late Middle English), convert (Late Middle English), and pervert (Late Middle English) ‘turn bad’. Vortex (mid 17th century) is closely related. Versed (early 17th century), as in well versed in, is different, coming from Latin versari ‘be engaged in’.