vertebr-

1. a combining form of vertebra:

   vertebral.

Example Sentences

In the chalk bluff, more than forty feet from high-water mark, is the vertebr� of a whale distinctly outlined.

From Project Gutenberg

He once dislocated the vertebr� of his back and other parts of his body, in such a manner, that Molins, the famous surgeon, before whom he appeared as a patient, was shocked at the sight, and would not even attempt his cure.

From Project Gutenberg

These spinal pains are always aggravated by pressure made on either side of the spinous processes of the vertebr�, and, like the cephalic pains, are more or less mitigated by revulsive applications.

From Project Gutenberg

They were enabled to satisfy themselves of the existence of glandular enlargement—adenopathie bronchique—in nine of their eighteen cases by percussion practised in the method of M. Geneau de Mussy,22 who was the first to call attention to the importance of percussing the spinous processes of the vertebr� over the course of the trachea.

From Project Gutenberg

When the tracheal and bronchial glands are enlarged, the tubular sound over the upper dorsal vertebr� is replaced by dulness, which may contrast sharply, above with the tracheal, and below with the vesicular resonance.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use vertebr-

What does vertebr- mean?

Vertebr– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “vertebra” or “vertebral.” The vertebrae are the bones in the spinal column. Vertebro– is occasionally used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Vertebr– comes from Latin vertebra, meaning “(spinal) joint.” The Greek translation of vertebra is spóndylos, meaning “vertebra, joint,” which is the source of the combining form spondylo–. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article on spondylo-.

What are variants of vertebr-?

Vertebr– is a variant of vertebro–, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on vertebro-.

Examples of vertebr-

One example of a medical term that features the form vertebr– is vertebrectomy, “excision of a vertebra.”

The element vertebr– means “vertebra,” and –ectomy means “excision,” from Latin –ectomia. Vertebrectomy literally translates to “vertebra excision.”

What are some words that use the combining form vertebr-?

• vertebral
• vertebrate (using the equivalent form of vertebr– in Latin)
• vertebration (using the equivalent form of vertebr– in Latin)
• vertebratus (using the equivalent form of vertebr– in Latin)

What are some other forms that vertebr– may be commonly confused with?

• ventro-
• vesic-
• viro-

Break it down!

The suffix –al means “of the kind of, pertaining to, having the form or character of.” With this in mind, what does vertebral mean?