A vertebra (plural: vertebrae) is a fundamental bony segment of the vertebral column. Each vertebra is different than the other, they vary in size and have different features.

They especially differ from one region to the next.

A typical vertebra has a vertebral body and a vertebral arch, and several projections, including a spinous process and two transverse processes. The vertebral body is the anterior part and it increases in size from C1 to L5.

Vertebral bodies of adjacent vertebrae are separated by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs.

Two pedicles anchor the vertebral arch to the posterior surface of the vertebral body.