Vertebra-Vertebrae | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Vertebra vs. Vertebrae

Vertebra

/ˈvɜːtəbrə/
A small bone that forms part of the backbone

Examples:

She fractured a vertebra while skiing down the slope.The ancient fossil had a perfectly preserved vertebra.Yoga can relieve tension around the cervical vertebra.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Vertebrae

The small bones that form the spine.

Examples:

The X-ray showed a fracture in the first lumbar vertebra.Marine vertebrae are often used to study evolution.Yoga can help keep your vertebrae flexible and healthy.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Vertebra is singular, referring to one bone in the spine, while vertebrae is plural, referring to multiple such bones.
  • A single vertebra connects with neighboring vertebrae to form the spinal column.
  • Remember that a in vertebra represents alone or a single unit, while the ae in vertebrae indicates extra or more than one.
  • Both vertebra and vertebrae are spelled with the root vertebr, which is related to a joint or spine.
  • Vertebra might be used in discussing the anatomy of one segment of the spinal column, while vertebrae encompasses the entire chain.
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