The body is the largest part of a vertebra, and is more or less cylindrical in shape. The central portion of a vertebra is called the centrum.

Its upper and lower surfaces are flattened and rough, and give attachment to the intervertebral discs, and each presents a rim around its circumference.

In humans, in anterior view, the body is convex from side to side and concave from above downward. Behind, it is flat from above downward and slightly concave from side to side.

Its anterior surface presents a few small apertures, for the passage of nutrient vessels. On the posterior surface is a single large, irregular aperture, or occasionally more than one, for the exit of the basi-vertebral veins from the body of the vertebra.

see Vertebral endplate.

see Vertebral body tumor.