The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relation between compressive strength and density of human vertebral bone, the relation between trabecular orientation and compressive strength, and the effects of the strain rate on compressive strength. A total of 71 samples obtained at 23 post mortem examinations were investigated. Density determinations were made and two different densities were calculated: (1) the apparent density as wet weight divided by the total sample volume; and (2) real density as wet weight divided by the volume of bone matrix determined by water displacement. Compression test measurements were made on the fresh samples using an Instron materials testing machine at controlled deformation rates. The results indicated a highly significant relation between apparent density and compressive strength. Similar relations were found between dry weight per total sample volume and ash weight per total sample volume and compressive strength. As the apparent density increased, the compressive strength of the sample decreased. A negative regression between real density and compressive strength was found in one of the experimental series of this investigation where, as the density of the bone matrix increased the compressive strength of the sample decreased. This relation was not significant in the other two experimental series. The strength of vertebral bone was significantly higher along the superior-inferior axis or vertical axis than along the two other directions. Samples showed a significantly greater ability to withstand compression when the deformation rate was 1 cm per minute than they did when the rate was 0.01 cm per minute.