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

Folic acid is particularly important in early pregnancy, aiding proper development of the baby's brain, skull and spinal cord.

From BBC

Mr Bennett was paralysed in 2018 after suffering a spinal cord injury, but said he still carried his experiences prior to leaving the armed forces in 1992.

From BBC

A positive blood biomarker test could also lead to significant mental and financial damage, with unnecessary and expensive procedures like an MRI, a PET scan or a spinal fluid test.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Marsh's daughter will receive the honour 75 years after he died from spinal injuries after falling through a hole in the first floor of a derelict church while responding to a fire in Birmingham.

From BBC

Mr Hibbert was left with a spinal cord injury and Ms Hibbert suffered severe brain damage as a result of the bombing.

From BBC

Related Words

• opiate