spinal canal

noun

variants or less commonly spinal cavity

: a canal in the spinal column through which the spinal cord passes and is delimited dorsally by the arches on the dorsal side of the vertebrae

called also vertebral canal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

However, producing and hearing speech influences some enduring aspects of our skeletons too, including the hyoid bone, ear ossicles and the portion of the spinal canal that holds nerves involved in precisely controlling breathing. —Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2018

The bright regions in the spinal canal and brain represent cerebrospinal fluid; the long string extending down the body is the spinal cord. —Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010

An injury that includes damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina). —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2022

The woman died between 20 and 30 years of age, and a wooden rod was inserted into the spinal canal long after death, probably to stabilize the remains before transporting them to Europe. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2022

She was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause pain and numbness, in 2007. —Rosy Cordero, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2021

In recent years, James said, DeSalvo developed a worsening case of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal. —John Pope, NOLA.com, 30 Dec. 2020

In 1992, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause numbness and muscle weakness. —Jeré Longman, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2020

Fortunately, Irvin suffered no paralysis, but a subsequent diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) led to his decision to retire from the NFL. —Dallas News, 12 Oct. 2020

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Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

spinal canal

noun

variants also spinal cavity

: a canal in the spinal column through which the spinal cord passes and is delimited dorsally by the arches on the dorsal side of the vertebrae : vertebral canal