spinal

[ spahyn-l ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to a spine or thornlike structure, especially to the backbone.

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a spinal anesthetic.

spinal

/ ˈspaɪnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the spine or the spinal cord
2. denoting a laboratory animal in which the spinal cord has been severed

   a spinal rat

noun

1. short for spinal anaesthesia

Derived Forms

• ˈspinally, adverb

Other Words From

• spinal·ly adverb
• inter·spinal adjective
• non·spinal adjective
• pre·spinal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinal¹

1570–80; < Late Latin spīnālis, equivalent to Latin spīn ( a ) spina + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

Further issues included a spinal tumor removal in 2005 and related leg problems, resulting in Saafir using a wheelchair for most of the last decade.

From Los Angeles Times

The most common problems include chronic headaches, difficulty swallowing and decreased muscle strength, as well as syringomyelia, a condition that occurs when a cyst forms in the spinal cord.

From Science Daily

The genetic condition can cause serious medical complications such as spinal cord compression, sleep apnoea, bowed legs, narrowing of the spinal canal and recurrent ear infections.

From Science Daily

Ms Hogan, then 19, suffered a punctured lung, spinal fracture and a bleed on the brain, leaving her unable to walk or talk.

From BBC

An Orange County firefighter who suffered spinal cord injuries in a September freeway rollover was released from a Colorado rehabilitation facility Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opiate