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Vertebrates have a segmented vertebral column and brain.

Segmentation in biology refers to either (1) a type of gastrointestinal motility ("mixing" movements (in contrast to "propulsive" movements)) or (2) the division of some metazoan bodies and plant body plans into a series of semi-repetitive segments. Body plan segmentation is related to the more general concept of modularity. There are both benefits and costs inherent in a segmented body plan.

Members of the phyla Annelida and Arthropoda both show a generally segmented body plan. Members of the phylum Vertebrata also have a segmented body plan, making it easy for those animals to adapt to have the correct number of spinal cord segments in the vertebral column. Proof of this has been derived from the extensive study of mice. Segmentation also occurs in plants, notably in horsetails.

Segmentation allows for a high degree of specialization of bodily regions. This regional specialization is seen to some degree in annelids, but is an evolutionary development of the body plan of arthropods.

The process of establishing such a segmented body pattern is discussed in morphogenesis.

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