1. Plural of centrum; the central part or core of something, especially the main body of a vertebra in anatomy.
Usage: technical/anatomical; plural form
2. In paleontology, the solid central portion of a vertebra around which the neural arch is built.
Usage: paleontology; plural form

Examples

• The centrums of the vertebrae support the weight of the upper body.
• Paleontologists examined the centrums of fossilized fish to understand their skeletal structure.
• The neural arches attach to the centrums to form complete vertebrae.
• Damage to the centrums can affect spinal stability and function.
• The centrums gradually ossify during skeletal development in children.