intervertebral

adjective

in·​ter·​ver·​te·​bral ˌin-tər-ˈvər-tə-brəl How to pronounce intervertebral (audio)
-(ˌ)vər-ˈtē-
: situated or occurring between vertebrae of the spinal column
Gelatin-filled intervertebral discs normally cushion the bones of the back, but sometimes a disc ruptures and bulges outward.Adam Rogers
intervertebral foramina

Examples of intervertebral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Bundles of piano wires were used to mimic the biological muscles between an ostrich’s vertebrae (intervertebral muscles), and rubber bands were used as ligaments at the base of the manipulator to provide tension. IEEE Spectrum, 25 Apr. 2023 Surfing has cost me two wedding rings, many thousands of dollars, and a few millimeters of intervertebral space in my spine. Tom Vanderbilt, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intervertebral was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near intervertebral

Cite this Entry

“Intervertebral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intervertebral. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

intervertebral

adjective
in·​ter·​ver·​te·​bral ˌint-ər-ˈvərt-ə-brəl, -(ˌ)vər-ˈtē- How to pronounce intervertebral (audio)
: situated between vertebrae
intervertebrally adverb
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