spine (redirected from Spined)

spine: see spinal column.

---

vertebral column

 or spinal column or spine or backbone

Flexible column extending the length of the torso. In humans, it consists of 32–34 vertebrae, with different shapes and functions in each of five regions: 7 cervical, in the neck (including the atlas and axis, modified for free movement of the skull); 12 thoracic, in the chest; 5 lumbar, in the lower back; 5 sacral (fused into the sacrum, part of the pelvic girdle); and 3 to 5 coccygeal (vestigial tailbones fused into the coccyx). The body of each vertebra is separated from its neighbours by cushioning intervertebral disks of cartilage. Behind the body is a Y-shaped vertebral (neural) arch with structures extending up and down to form joints with the adjacent vertebrae and to the back and sides to provide attachment points for muscles and ligaments. The spine supports the torso and protects the spinal cord.

---

spine

1. the spinal column

2. the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc.

3. Zoology a hard pointed process or structure, such as the ray of a fin, the quill of a porcupine, or the ridge on a bone

4. a ridge, esp of a hill

---

spine [spīn]

(anatomy)

An articulated series of vertebrae forming the axial skeleton of the trunk and tail, and being a characteristic structure of vertebrates. Also known as backbone; spinal column; vertebral column.

(botany)

A rigid sharp-pointed process in plants; many are modified leaves.

(graphic arts)

The edge of a book that connects the covers and along which the sections are secured together in the binding. Also known as backbone.

(invertebrate zoology)

One of the processes covering the surface of a sea urchin.

(vertebrate zoology)

One of the spiny rays supporting the fins of most fishes.

A sharp-pointed modified hair on certain mammals, such as the porcupine.