vertebral column

noun

1. spinal column.

vertebral column

noun

1. another name for spinal column

vertebral column

/ vûr′tə-brəl /

1. The series of vertebrae extending from the base of the skull to the tip of the tail that forms the supporting axis of the body in vertebrate animals. In humans and tailless apes, the vertebral column ends with the coccyx (tailbone). It encloses and protects the spinal cord and provides a stable attachment for the muscles of the trunk.
2. Also called backbone spinal column, spine

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertebral column¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Type 2 diabetes alters the behavior of discs in the vertebral column, making them stiffer, and also causes the discs to change shape earlier than normal.

From Science Daily

“We measured the whole vertebral skeleton of a living great white shark with a CT scanner and compared that to the previous reconstruction of the Megalodon vertebral column,” Sternes said.

From Science Daily

They also used two-dimensional shape analysis techniques to examine variation in the spatial distribution of mineral structures along the vertebral column.

From Science Daily

It is early days, but we have used gastruloids to study the process of somitogenesis, the process that generates the vertebral column and the muscles.

From Scientific American

Inslee must put finding an evenhanded appointee with a sturdy vertebral column first rather than simply installing a Democratic loyalist into the office that has eluded his party in every election since 1964.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• foundation
• spine