Vertabra or Vertebra: Which Is Correct?

"Vertabra" is a misspelling of the word "vertebra."
A "vertebra" is a single bone in the spine. These bones stack together to form the backbone, providing support and protecting the spinal cord.

For example...

❌ The spinal surgeon carefully examined each vertabra to assess the extent of the injury.

✅ The spinal surgeon carefully examined each vertebra to assess the extent of the injury.

In this sentence, "vertebra" refers to each individual bone segment of the spine. The spinal surgeon is inspecting each bone segment to evaluate the injury to the spine.

What does "vertebra" mean?

"Vertebra" is a noun. The singular form is "vertebra" and the plural form is "vertebrae," or sometimes, "vertebras."

Vertebra (noun)

A singular bone segment forming the vertebral column or spine.
Composed of a cylindrical body, an arch of bone extending backward, and various processes, articulating with adjacent vertebrae.
The vertebral column is crucial for providing structural support and protecting the spinal cord.

The Ngram graph below shows the frequency of use of "vertebra" and "vertabra" from the 1800s to the 2000s. While "vertebra" peaked in use in the 1880s, its misspelling "vertabra" has always seen little use.

How to pronounce "vertebra"

American English:

Phonetic Pronunciation: VUR-teh-bruh
VUR: Pronounced like "vur," rhyming with "fur."
teh: Pronounced like "teh," similar to "duh."
bruh: Pronounced like "bruh," with a vowel sound like "a" in "above."

British English:

Phonetic Pronunciation: VUH-ti-bruh
VUH: Pronounced like "vuh," rhyming with "duh."
ti: Pronounced like "ti," with a vowel sound like "i" in "ship."
bruh: Pronounced like "bruh," with a vowel sound like "a" in "above."

Why would we misspell "vertebra" as "vertabra"?

Phonetic Influence: People might spell it as "vertabra" because of the ambiguous pronunciation of the second vowel sound.
Typographical Errors: Commonly, typos or inadvertent misspellings while typing quickly can lead to this mistake.
Lack of Familiarity: Some individuals might not be acquainted with the correct spelling and therefore opt for "vertabra" as a close approximation.

Other common misspellings of "vertebra"

Below are common misspellings of "vertebra," other than "vertabra."

vertabrea
vertibra
vertebr
vertebar
vertibrea

Check out our other related blog posts:
🖊️ Artilleries and Arteries: Differences and Examples
🖊️ Helth or Health: Which Is Correct?

Example sentences of the misspelling of "vertebra" as "vertabra"

Below are example sentences highlighting that "vertabra" is a misspelling of "vertebra."

The anatomy textbook consistently reinforced that the correct term for each bone in the spinal column is "vertebra," not "vertabra."
During the spelling bee, the participant confidently spelled out "vertebra" and corrected the judge when they inadvertently suggested "vertabra" as a possible alternative.
The medical journal's style guide strictly adhered to the accurate spelling, specifying that contributors should use "vertebra" and avoid the misspelling "vertabra."
In the scientific community, researchers routinely employ the term "vertebra" in their studies, emphasizing the importance of precision in scientific language over the common misspelling "vertabra."
The educational video on spinal anatomy clarified that the proper spelling of the bone structure is "vertebra," dispelling any confusion arising from the incorrect form "vertabra."

Example sentences of "vertebra"

The athlete underwent rehabilitation to strengthen the muscles supporting the injured vertebra.
The lumbar vertebrae are particularly prone to stress and strain due to their position in the lower back.
The medical textbook explained the role of each vertebra in supporting the spinal cord.
A compression fracture in the thoracic vertebrae can impact respiratory function and posture.
The anatomy class focused on the intricate details of each cervical vertebra.
The chiropractor used gentle adjustments to realign the displaced vertebra.
Physical therapists often recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the lumbar vertebrae.
The chiropractor applied targeted adjustments to alleviate tension in the cervical vertebra.
Osteoarthritis can lead to degeneration of the cartilage between lumbar vertebrae, causing pain and stiffness.
The radiologist examined the X-ray images, noting the condition of each lumbar vertebra.

Synonyms for "vertebra"

Spinal bone
Backbone segment
Spine bone
Vertebral body
Backbone unit
Spinal segment
Spine vertebra
Backbone element
Vertebral bone
Back vertebra

Want to sound like a native speaker?

Engram’s AI-powered grammar checker makes your English sound like a native speaker’s, suggesting natural English expressions on top of fixing grammar, spelling, punctuation, word order, and vocabulary.