spinal cord

noun

: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts see brain illustration

Examples of spinal cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chemicals may also harm cells in the brain and spinal cord that create myelin, according to a 2024 study in human tissue. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

From the spinal cord, a different set of neurons kind of picks up the relay, goes to the brainstem, and then from the base of the brain to other areas throughout the brain. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026

Oligodendroglioma is a rare type of primary brain or spinal cord tumor that develops from glial cells and can result in seizures, headaches and neurological changes, according to the National Institutes of Health. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

In rare cases, the virus can cause serious health problems like swelling of the brain or spinal cord or paralysis. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spinal cord

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overboard
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard

Kids Definition

spinal cord

noun

: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain along the back in the cavity of the backbone, branches to form the spinal nerves, carries nerve impulses to and from the brain, and helps to control reflex actions

Medical Definition

spinal cord

noun

: the thick longitudinal cord of nervous tissue that in vertebrates extends along the back dorsal to the bodies of the vertebrae and is enclosed in the spinal canal formed by their neural arches, is continuous anteriorly with the medulla oblongata, gives off at intervals pairs of spinal nerves to the various parts of the trunk and limbs, serves not only as a pathway for nerve impulses to and from the brain but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain, and is composed largely of white matter arranged in columns and tracts of longitudinal fibers about a large central core of gray matter somewhat H-shaped in cross section and pierced centrally by a small longitudinal canal continuous with the ventricles of the brain

called also medulla spinalis