‖n.; pl. Vertebrae [ L. vertebra, fr. vertere to turn, change. See Verse. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Anat.) One of the serial segments of the spinal column. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In many fishes the vertebrae are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebrae 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 vertebrae 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 vertebrae are specially designated: those vertebrae 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 vertebrae, twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely three, coccygeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) One of the central ossicles in each joint of the arms of an ophiuran. [ 1913 Webster ]

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n. (Zool.) A vertebrate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. vertébral. ] 1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a vertebra, vertebrae, or the vertebral column; spinal; rachidian. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Vertebrate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. (Anat.) At or within a vertebra or vertebrae; -- distinguished from interverterbrally. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a vertebra or vertebrae and an artery; -- said of the foramina in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae and of the canal which they form for the vertebral artery and vein. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Zool.) One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising all animals that have a backbone composed of bony or cartilaginous vertebrae, together with Amphioxus in which the backbone is represented by a simple undivided notochord. The Vertebrata always have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above the notochord or backbone, and a ventral, or visceral, cavity below it. The subdivisions or classes of Vertebrata are Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, Marsipobranchia, and Leptocardia. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) One of the Vertebrata. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. vertebratus. ] 1. (Anat.) Having a backbone, or vertebral column, containing the spinal marrow, as man, quadrupeds, birds, amphibia, and fishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Contracted at intervals, so as to resemble the spine in animals. Henslow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Having movable joints resembling vertebrae; -- said of the arms of ophiurans. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the Vertebrata; -- used only in the form vertebrate. [ 1913 Webster ]