Spī'nal, a.

a. [Fr. spinal, Sp. espinal, It. spinale, Lat. spinalis, from spina, the spine.] Pertaining to the spine or back-bone of an animal.

Spinal column (Anat.), the connected vertebræ of the back, or its cartilaginous substitute; spine; backbone. It forms the sheath for the spinal cord, and is the central organ of support in the body of vertebrate animals. — Spinal cord, the elongated mass of nervous fibers and ganglions which is inclosed in the spinal column, the upper end of which, joining the brain, is the medulla oblongata; spinal marrow.