The vertebral body is the largest and most supportive part of the vertebra.
(c) Anne Asher 2006 licensed to About.com
The vertebral body is the largest part of the vertebra. The vertebral bodies of the spinal column are stacked on top of one another so they can transmit the body's weight.
The vertebral body is a large roundish structure that provides postural and weight support. It also defines part of the edge of the central area in the spinal column through which the spinal cord passes.
The spine is made of 26 vertebral bones stacked on top of one another at the vertebral bodies. In between the vertebral bodies are the intervertebral disks, which provide shock absorption during movement. The disks help to avoid the pain that could occur if bone were to move on bone. They do this by acting as a cushion between the vertebrtal bodies.
