Non-marginal osteophytes are a horizontal or vertical osteophyte of the vertebral body observed 2 to 3 mm away from the actual vertebral end-plate.

Small ones are associated with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis deformans. These are called traction osteophytes and are believed to indicate an element of instability in the spine.

A non-marginal osteophyte may fuse with a non-marginal or marginal osteophyte from an adjacent vertebral body.

Larger non-marginal osteophytes (sometimes called non-marginal syndesmophytes) are seen in seronegative arthropathies e.g. psoriatic arthritis and reactive arthritis.