The |vertebral body| is the weight-bearing portion of the vertebra. Forming the ~anterior~ (forward) part of the vertebra, the body of each vertebra has two articular surfaces. These surfaces are the faces of the |vertebrae| which articulate, or join with, the other |vertebrae|. The top surface, which bears the weight of the spinal column above it, is called the superior articular surface. The bottom face of the |vertebral body| is called the inferior articular surface, and rests on the vertebra below it. Between the articular surfaces of separate |vertebrae| are the |intervertebral disks|, made of ~cartilage~, which cushion the articular surfaces of the |vertebrae| from |shock| trauma.
