What’s the plural of “vertebra”?
Both vertebras and vertebrae are accepted plurals of vertebra. Weird, right? English is weird, and puzzling, to say the least.
A painful lump indicated a damaged vertebra.
The surgeon carefully aligned the displaced vertebrae.
The skeleton was missing several vertebra.
An injury affected just one vertebras near the neck.
What’s the singular of “vertebra”?
Vertebra is the singular of vertebrae/vertebras.
What does “vertebra” mean?
Cambridge Dictionary describes the word and noun vertebra as ‘one of the small bones that form the spine (= back bone)’.
The plural of “vertebra,” associate it with other words ending in “-bra” that form their plurals by adding “-ae,” like “formula” becomes “formulae.”.
Other Latin nouns in English
| singular | plural |
|---|---|
| vertebra | vertebrae or vertebras |
| antenna | antennae and antennas |
| larva | larvae and larvas |
| formula | formulae or formulas |
| nebula | nebulae or nebulas |
“Vertebra”, used in sentences
1. It is the only vertebra in the spine which has no vertebra in the spine which has no vertebral body.
2. In some genera this coccyx is fused with the ninth vertebra, and contributes to the FIG.
3. Also in 1996, another caudal vertebra was found.
4. The arch of the vertebra features a small knob or prominence, called an anterior tubercle.
5. The ribs of the second vertebra are not represented.
Examples of vertebrae/vertebras used in application:
1. I had also cracked two vertebrae in my back.
2. It showed inflammation in the bottom vertebrae of the spine.
3. A bone fragment from her hip was used to fuse two fractured vertebrae in her neck.
4. I liked biology a lot more amoebas and vertebrae.
5. Pope felt the vertebrae in his neck pop.
Origin of the word vertebra
From etymology online on vertebra (n.):
Bone of the spine,” early 15c., from Latin vertebra “joint or articulation of the body, joint of the spine” (plural vertebræ).
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Work Sheet
According to the post, which of the following is an accepted plural form of “vertebra”?
Which sentence correctly uses the singular form of “vertebra”?
Which sentence correctly uses a plural form of “vertebra”?
What does the word “vertebra” mean, according to the definition provided?
The post suggests associating “vertebra” with other Latin nouns. Which of the following also has a plural ending in “-ae” or “-as”?
It is the only in the spine which has no vertebral body.
I had also cracked two in my back.
The surgeon carefully aligned the displaced .
Also in 1996, another caudal was found.
It showed inflammation in the bottom of the spine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural of vertebra?
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What is the singular of vertebrae?
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What does vertebra mean?
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Yash, D. "What’s the Plural of Vertebra?." Grammarflex, Jun 4, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-plural-of-vertebra/.
Sources
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Definition of vertebra.
