spinal column

spinal column n. The series of articulated vertebrae, separated by intervertebral disks and held together by muscles and tendons, that extends from the cranium to the coccyx or the end of the tail, encasing the spinal cord and forming the supporting axis of the body; the spine. Also called vertebral column.

spinal column right lateral view of an adult human spinal column A. atlas B. axis C. cervical vertebrae D. thoracic vertebrae E. lumbar vertebrae F. sacrum G. coccyx

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spinal column

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) a series of contiguous or interconnecting bony or cartilaginous segments that surround and protect the spinal cord Also called spine vertebral column Nontechnical name backbone

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spinal column  (spnl)

See vertebral column.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

spinal column - the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back" spine, vertebral column, rachis, backbone, back notochord - a flexible rodlike structure that forms the supporting axis of the body in the lowest chordates and lowest vertebrates and in embryos of higher vertebrates chine - backbone of an animal canalis vertebralis, spinal canal, vertebral canal - the canal in successive vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes coccyx, tail bone - the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes vertebra - one of the bony segments of the spinal column intervertebral disc, intervertebral disk - a fibrocartilaginous disc serving as a cushion between all of the vertebrae of the spinal column (except between the first two) skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism axial skeleton - the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs

Translations

spinal column n → colonna vertebrale, spina dorsale