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spinal column

spinal column, bony column forming the main structural support of the skeleton of humans and other vertebrates, also known as the vertebral column or backbone. It consists of segments known as vertebrae linked by intervertebral disks and held together by ligaments. In human beings, the spinal column of the child contains more vertebrae than the adult, in whom a number become fused into two immovable bones, the sacrum and the coccyx, forming the back of the pelvis. The 24 movable vertebrae are the 7 cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (back of chest), and 5 lumbar (loin). The remaining vertebrae include 5 fused sacral, and between 3 and 5 fused caudal. Each vertebra has a somewhat cylindrical bony body (centrum), a number of winglike projections, and a bony arch. The bodies of the vertebrae form the strong but pliable supporting column of the skeleton. The arches are positioned so that the space they enclose is in effect a tube, the vertebral canal. It houses and protects the spinal cord, and within it the spinal fluid circulates. Ligaments and muscles are attached to various projections of the vertebrae. The 12 pairs of ribs that make up the front of the chest are linked to the thoracic vertebrae. The spine is subject to abnormal curvature, injury, infections, tumor formation, arthritic disorders, and puncture or slippage of the cartilage disks. Scoliosis is one relatively common disease which affects the spinal column. It involves moderate to severe lateral curvature of the spine, and, if not treated, may lead to serious deformities later in life.

backbone

[′bak‚bōn]

(anatomy)

spine

(computer science)

The portion of a communication network that handles the largest volume of traffic, usually employing a high-speed, high-capacity medium designed to transmit data over long distances.

(geology)

A ridge forming the principal axis of a mountain.

The principal mountain ridge, range, or system of a region.

(graphic arts)

spine

backbone

1. a nontechnical name for spinal column

2. the main or central mountain range of a country or region

3. Nautical the main longitudinal members of a vessel, giving structural strength

4. Computing (in computer networks) a large-capacity, high-speed central section by which other network segments are connected

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

backbone

(networking)

The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub networks and transit networks which connect to the same backbone are guaranteed to be interconnected.

See also: Internet backbone.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

backbone

The part of a network that handles the major traffic. It employs the highest-speed transmission paths in the network and may also run the longest distances. Smaller networks are attached to the backbone, and networks that directly connect to the end user or customer are called "access networks."

A backbone can span a geographic area of any size from a single building to an office complex to an entire country. A backbone can also be as small as a backplane in a single cabinet. See collapsed backbone, backplane, core router, edge router and ISP.

Copyright © 1981-2019 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

References in periodicals archive ?

First, why the backbones and side chains of ODPA-DABBE6 annealed fibers can form only one crystalline phase, which is obviously different from ODPA-DABBEO annealed fibers; Second, how side chains containing six methylene spacers assist crystallization; Third, how to understand the zigzag undulation of tensile strength and initial modulus with increasing draw ratios.

Stretching induced steric interaction between backbone and side chain in a novel polyimide fiber

IT professionals are now considering the opportunity to build a strategic, independent network infrastructure that will scale to meet the enterprise's needs for the next several years--the storage network backbone. The storage network backbone provides connectivity for hundreds of storage and application resources without wasting costly ports to connect other switches.

Evaluating the requirements for the storage network backbone

"In general, cities with more linkages to the Internet backbone will have faster access and more reliable connections to global information.

HOW INTERNET-ACCESSIBLE IS YOUR CITY?

An upgrade could ramp backbone speeds up to 2.56 Tbps and will include connectivity with China, if regulations permit.

Bandwidth: ENDING WORLD HUNGER

Linking the service layer to a photonic transport backbone will set the stage for a truly optical Internet.

The Internet's optical future

The three technology options for upgrading backbones are fast Ethernet, FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) and ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switching, according to industry analysts at the Gartner Croup.

In a changing environment, network backbone upgrades emerge as wise investment

This article reports work done to examine traffic aspects of an existing Internet backbone: the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) backbone.(1) Data was collected using two methods: IP network numbers were used to track the geographic and administrative scope and growth of the Internet, and port numbers to assess the growing cross-section of traffic.

Tracking long-term growth of the NSFNET

Pacific Anchor Chemical Corp., Los Angeles, says it has developed a new approach for introducing a urethane backbone into a flexible epoxy system, using a urethane acrylate oligomer as the co-reactant rather than a blocked isocyanate as is typical currently.

'Hybrids' extend epoxy performance

On May 19th, 2019 at 9 am runners, walkers and rollers will participate in the 11th annual BACKBONES 5K Run, Walk 'n Roll at Country Gardens Park in Prospect Heights.

Community Gathers to Support Local Resident and People with Spinal Cord Injury and Disabilities

Intelligent switches: Switches are getting a lot smarter, and so-called backbone switches might take over a majority of SAN processing.

Hardware beats out software for top honors

"To compete in today's changing regulatory environment, service providers must build service-aware backbones to take ATM and frame relay market share now, and deliver next-generation IP services the minute those demands arise," said Ken Packert, president, Multiservice Switching.

LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES UNVEILS TMX 880 MPLS CORE SWITCH

However, the greatest magnet for such buildings is the proximity to major fiber-optic backbones and cables that reside along the railroad right-of-ways and under some highways and city streets.