spinal cord

noun

: 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

The biomarkers are measured using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the watery liquid that fills and surrounds the brain and spinal cord and provides nutrients, removes waste, and acts as a shock absorber for these delicate organs. —New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024

In a recent procedure, a 38-year-old spinal cord injury patient regained control of a prosthetic hand, performing tasks like unscrewing a bottle cap. —Charlie Fink, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 15 million people living worldwide with some form of spinal cord injury. —IEEE Spectrum, 8 Dec. 2024

Physical activity, including walking, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (affecting blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord) diseases, type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dementia. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

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