Development

The vertebral body is the centrum in development. It is one of the 3 primary centres of ossification connected by hyaline cartilage at the neurocentral joints - precursors of the junctions between pedicles and body - to the 2 other ossification centres in each vertebral arch. Occasionally, ossification of the centrum begins from bilateral centres; these may later fail to fuse or one may not develop at all leading to hemivertebra.

Up until 8-12 years of age, the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body are covered by a cartilaginous cap. Ossification begins in the periphery of the cap as a secondary centre until typically by the age of 25, a central cartilaginous plate remains surrounded by a rim of bone. The inner cartilage forms part of the intervertebral disc.