Question

Typical vertebra of human is

• A. Amphiplatyan
• B. Procoelous
• C. Amphicoelous
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Amphiplatyan

The central portion of a vertebra is called the centrum. The morphology of the anterior and posterior faces of a centrum, where it articulates with other vertebral bodies, partially determine the flexibility and strength of the vertebral column. If both the anterior and posterior surfaces are flat, the vertebra is called "acoelous" or "amphiplatyan"; this type of vertebra is good for dealing with compressive forces. The amphiplatyan vertebra is characteristic of mammals and thus, vertebrae in the human spine is an example of it.
Procoelous vertebrae are concave on the anterior side and convex on the posterior side of the centrum, e.g., anura and reptiles.
In amphicoelous vertebrae both the surfaces are concave and it permits some motion across a wide range of directions. These are found in fishes, apoda and some urodela.