noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
lumbar vertebra; lumbar vertebrae
Anatomical term for the bones of the lower spine. Both singular and plural are used in English, but Japanese does not distinguish number.
腰椎の骨折は高齢者に多い。
Fractures of the lumbar vertebrae are common in the elderly.
MRIで腰椎を詳しく調べた。
We examined the lumbar vertebrae in detail with an MRI.
胸椎 are the thoracic vertebrae (mid-back), whereas 腰椎 are the lumbar vertebrae (lower back).
Compound of 腰 (こし, 'lower back') and 椎 (つい, 'vertebra'). The reading よう for 腰 is the on'yomi used in medical compounds.