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 hip, spinal cord and wrists are most affected by osteoporosis. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

The chronic disease mostly affects the central nervous system, brain, and spinal cord, but Applegate says doctors initially ignored her concerns about the gastro issues. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025

Other possible causes are gout, alcoholism, spinal cord problems or menopause. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

The future of spinal cord injury treatment isn't just being written—we're opening doors (and jars) to new possibilities. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spinal cord

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overboard
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard

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