spinal cord

noun

Synonyms of spinal cordnext
: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts see brain illustration

Examples of spinal cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In some cases, Powassan virus can cause severe disease including encephalitis, an infection of the brain, or meningitis, an infection of membranes around the brain and spinal cord. —USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024 This puts them at higher risk of having children born with birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, most commonly spina bifida and anencephaly. —Ana B. Ibarra, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spinal cord 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spinal cord.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinal cord was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near spinal cord

spinal column

spinal cord

spinal foramen

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Spinal cord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal%20cord. Accessed 5 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

spinal cord

noun
: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain along the back in the cavity of the backbone, branches to form the spinal nerves, carries nerve impulses to and from the brain, and helps to control reflex actions

Medical Definition

spinal cord

noun
: the thick longitudinal cord of nervous tissue that in vertebrates extends along the back dorsal to the bodies of the vertebrae and is enclosed in the spinal canal formed by their neural arches, is continuous anteriorly with the medulla oblongata, gives off at intervals pairs of spinal nerves to the various parts of the trunk and limbs, serves not only as a pathway for nerve impulses to and from the brain but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain, and is composed largely of white matter arranged in columns and tracts of longitudinal fibers about a large central core of gray matter somewhat H-shaped in cross section and pierced centrally by a small longitudinal canal continuous with the ventricles of the brain

called also medulla spinalis

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