backbone
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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.
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backbone
[′bak‚bōn] (anatomy)
(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)
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
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.
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