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

Other Word Forms

• spinally adverb
• interspinal adjective
• nonspinal adjective
• prespinal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinal¹

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

Example Sentences

In the early days of research, dementia was diagnosed only in autopsies, and later through spinal fluid or PET scans.

From Los Angeles Times

Ioan was carried on a spinal board to the top of the track to meet an ambulance, with Jim in hot pursuit.

From BBC

PC Bremner's injuries included a bleed on the brain and spinal fractures.

From BBC

MND affects nerves found in the brain and spinal cord, which tell your muscles what to do.

From BBC

Asgari-Tabar previously admitted robbery and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to an elderly care home resident who suffered spinal fractures.

From BBC

Related Words

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