spinal cord

American  

noun

• spinal cords
  plural

1. the cord of nerve tissue extending through the spinal canal of the spinal column.

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spinal cord British  

noun

1. the thick cord of nerve tissue within the spinal canal, which in man gives rise to 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and together with the brain forms the central nervous system

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spinal cord Scientific  

1. The long, cordlike part of the central nervous system that is enclosed within the vertebral column (spine) and descends from the base of the brain, with which it is continuous. The spinal cord branches to form the nerves that convey motor and sensory impulses to and from the tissues of the body.

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spinal cord Cultural  

1. The thick column of nerve tissue that extends from the base of the brain about two thirds of the way down the backbone. As part of the central nervous system, the spinal cord carries impulses back and forth between the brain and other parts of the body through a network of nerves that extend out from it like branches.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• spinal cords
  plural

Etymology

Origin of spinal cord

First recorded in 1830–40

Compare meaning

How does spinal-cord compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• spinal cord vs. spinal column

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spinal cord

Ospreay underwent double-fusion neck surgery to stop his discs pressing into his spinal cord, and is aware he's lucky to have "been given a second chance".

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Mu opioid receptors are found throughout the brain and spinal cord.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Harris, from Canada, was 15 and "on the verge of independence" when she sustained a life-altering spinal cord injury, leaving her tetraplegic and requiring round the clock care.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Your brain and spinal cord have about 100 billion neurons.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman