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 medication therefore avoids the addictive potential of opioids, which work by binding to opioid receptors throughout the central nervous system, in both the brain and spinal cord. —Alice Park, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025

Per the Mayo Clinic, there is no cure for glioblastoma, although treatments may help improve symptoms or slow the growth of the cancer, which begins in the brain or spinal cord and spreads quickly. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

Gray matter is an essential type of tissue in the brain and spinal cord that plays a key role in memory, emotions, movement and sensory perception, and makes up just less than half of the brain. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025

Spinal Fluid Tests Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. —Doru Paul, Health, 10 Jan. 2025

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