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Glite Dictionary
vertebral column

vertebral column

1 4.3
A row of bones running down the middle of the back that protects the spinal cord
  • noun
  • /ˈvɜrtəbrəl ˈkɒləm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : columna vertebral
  • Many of the muscles that support the vertebral column attach at the transverse processes and the spinous process.
  • somites of the vertebral column

So like the brain and then it attaches, it's all connected to a spinal cord that runs literally through your vertebral column.

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Examples

  • Some spinal nerves travel down the vertebral column before exiting.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The pelvic girdle was not even attached to the vertebral column.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The next part of Ichthyostega we reconsidered was the vertebral column, or backbone.

    Academic text (2006)

  • There are three normal curvatures that form the natural "S" shape of the vertebral column: lordosis in the cervical and lumbar regions and kyphosis in the thoracic region.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The doctor explained how the vertebral column supports the entire body structure.

  • In a healthy spine, the vertebral column should be straight without any severe curves.

  • During the anatomy class, we learned that the vertebral column protects the spinal cord.

Synonyms

spine
vsvertebral column
218 1.1

The long set of bones down the middle of the back that protect the spinal cord

is the broad anatomical label for that same support structure
spinal column
vsvertebral column
  • Specialized
10 3.2

A row of bones from the head to the lower back that protect the cord of nerves inside

is the same anatomical structure expressed in this context
backbone
vsvertebral column
9 3.0

The row of bones that runs down the middle of the back and supports the body

is the formal anatomical name used in scientific descriptions
rachis
vsvertebral column
  • Specialized
9.9

A series of bones that form the backbone and protect the spinal cord

is the general anatomical term used across descriptions
rach
vsvertebral column
  • Archaic
9.9

A column of bones down the back that supports the body

is the modern standard term rather than the older specialized form

Surface Forms

vertebral column singular
vertebral columns plural

Morphology

vertebral + column

The meaning is directly compositional: 'vertebral' relates to the vertebrae/spine and 'column' denotes a vertical supporting structure, so together they describe the spine as a supporting series of bones. This pillar/metaphor is cross-linguistically common (e.g., 'spinal column', 'columna vertebral'), making the sense immediately derivable for learners who know both constituents.

Etymology

Vertebral column comes from a simple image: small bones called vertebrae are stacked like a building column. This stack works as the body's 'main support' and protects the spinal cord, so the name means the row of bones that holds and shields the spinal cord.