n. One of the unpaired horny plates which cover the median dorsal portion of the carapace of a turtle.Of the nature of a vertebra; characteristic of or peculiar to vertebræ: as, vertebral elements or processes; vertebral segmentation.Pertaining or relating to a vertebra or to vertebræ; spinal: as, vertebral arteries, nerves, muscles; a vertebral theory or formula.Composed of vertebræ; axial, as the backbone of any vertebrate; spinal; rachidian: as, the vertebral column.Having vertebræ; backboned; vertebrate: as, a vertebral animal.In Echinodermata, axial: noting the median ossicles of the ray of any starfish, a series of which forms a solid internal axis of any ray or arm, each ossicle consisting of two lateral halves united by a longitudinal suture, and articulated by tenon-and-mortise joints upon their terminal surfaces. See Ophiuridæ, and cuts under Asteriidæ and Astrophyton.In entomology, situated on or noting the median line of the upper surface.n. A vertebrate.n. A vertebral artery.