Vertebral body
Also called: vertebral bodies
What it means
A vertebral body is the solid, round block of bone that forms the front, weight-bearing part of each bone in your spine.
Weak vertebral bodies can collapse quietly, causing height loss, back pain, and a stooped posture over time.
The vertebral body is the thick, round block of bone that makes up the front part of each spine bone, or vertebra. Stacked one on top of another, vertebral bodies form the main weight-bearing column of the spine, with cushioning discs in between. They're made mostly of trabecular (spongy) bone surrounded by a thinner shell of cortical bone.
Because vertebral bodies are rich in trabecular bone, which turns over faster than denser cortical bone, they are especially sensitive to bone loss as people age or go through menopause. When a vertebral body weakens and loses height or collapses, it's called a vertebral compression fracture. This often happens quietly, from everyday bending or compression forces, and many people don't realize it happened until they notice height loss or back pain.
Spine fractures are one of the three most common fracture sites linked to osteoporosis, alongside the hip and wrist. Keeping the spine strong generally involves good posture, avoiding risky spinal flexion movements once bone is fragile, and discussing bone density testing and treatment options with your doctor if you're at risk.
Weak vertebral bodies can collapse quietly, leading to height loss, back pain, and stooped posture.
Where this leads
WordSince a vertebral body can collapse quietly, you might wonder what that collapse is actually called. Meet the vertebral compression fracture.
Where the Academy teaches it
This page is the short version. The lessons teach it in full, with the context around it and a quiz to lock it in.
Related words
A vertebra is one of the 24 small bones stacked together to form the spine, each made of a thick front body and bony…
A vertebral compression fracture is when a bone in the spine collapses or flattens, often because the bone is…
Trabecular bone is the spongy, honeycomb-like bone found inside structures like your spine and hip, providing…
The spine, or backbone, is the column of small bones (vertebrae) running down your back that supports your body and…
Kyphosis is an excessive forward curve of the upper back, often called a dowager's hump, which in bone-health terms…
The vertebral endplate is the thin layer of bone and cartilage at the top and bottom of each spinal vertebra,…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
