What is the main bulk of a vertebral bone called?

The main bulk of a vertebral bone is known as the vertebral body. This structure serves as the primary weight-bearing component of the vertebra and provides support for the spinal column. The vertebral body is cylindrical in shape and is designed to bear loads and maintain stability in alignment with other vertebrae.

The vertebral arch is a component that forms the back part of the vertebra, creating a protective structure around the spinal cord, but it does not constitute the bulk of the vertebra itself. The vertebral canal, on the other hand, is the passage formed by the alignment of vertebral arches that encases and protects the spinal cord. Vertebral disks refer to the cartilaginous structures that act as cushions between the vertebral bodies, enabling flexibility and absorbing shock, but are not part of the vertebral bone itself. Thus, the vertebral body is uniquely identified as the main bulk of a vertebra, distinguishing it from other components of the spinal structure.