spinal column

column

 [kol´um]

an anatomical part or other structure that resembles a pillar.

anal c's vertical folds of mucous membrane at the upper half of the anal canal; called also rectal columns.

anterior column the anterior portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn.

gray column the longitudinally oriented parts of the spinal cord in which the nerve cell bodies are found, comprising the gray matter of the spinal cord.

lateral column the lateral portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn; present only in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions.

posterior column the posterior portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn.

rectal c's anal columns.

spinal column (vertebral column) spine (def. 2).

ver·te·bral col·umn

[TA]

the series of vertebrae that extend from the cranium to the coccyx, providing support and forming a flexible bony case for the spinal cord.

Synonym(s): columna vertebralis [TA], spine (2) [TA], backbone, dorsal spine, rachis, spina dorsalis, spinal column, vertebrarium

spinal column

n.

The series of articulated vertebrae, separated by intervertebral disks and held together by muscles and tendons, that extends from the cranium to the coccyx or the end of the tail, encasing the spinal cord and forming the central support of the body; the spine. Also called vertebral column.

spinal column

See vertebral column.

ver·te·bral col·umn

(vĕr'tĕ-brăl kol'ŭm) [TA]

The series of vertebrae that extend from the cranium to the coccyx, providing support and forming a flexible bony case for the spinal cord.
Synonym(s): columna vertebralis [TA] , backbone, rachis, spina, spinal column, spine (2) .

column

(kol'um) [L. columna, pillar]

A cylindrical supporting structure.

anal column

Vertical folds of the mucous membrane in the anal canal. Synonym: rectal column

anterior column

Ventral column.

column of Bertin

See: Bertin, Exupère

column of Burdach

See: Burdach, Karl

Clarke's column

See: Clarke, Jacob A.L.

dorsal column

The triangular (in cross-section) sector of white matter demarcated by the dorsal midline (the dorsal median sulcus) and the dorsal horn on each side of the spinal cord. The dorsal column is a large bundle of ipsilateral primary sensory axons.

Synonym: dorsal funiculus; posterior column 2

column of fornix

Either of two arched bands of fibers that form the anterior body of the fornix. The fibers lead to the mammillary body.

column of Goll

See: Goll, Friedrich

gray column

Gray matter in the anterior and posterior horns of the spinal cord.

intermediolateral cell column

Lateral horn.

lateral column

1. A column in the lateral portion of the gray matter of the spinal cord. It contains cell bodies of preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system.

2. The triangular (in cross-section) sector of white matter demarcated by the dorsal and ventral horns on each side of the spinal cord. The lateral column contains axons of neurons with cell bodies inside the brain or spinal cord, not axons from the dorsal root ganglia. Synonym: lateral funiculus

3. The articulation in the midfoot between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones and the cuboid.

motorcolumn

In the brainstem and spinal cord, a group of functionally analogous motor nuclei that are aligned longitudinally and that occupy a stereotyped position in cross-sections. The three motor columns, which run in the medial and ventral quadrants of the brainstem and spinal cord, comprise the branchial motor column (the nucleus ambiguus, the facial motor nucleus, and the trigeminal motor nucleus), the somatic motor column (the ventral horns of the spinal cord and the hypoglossal, abducens, trochlear, and oculomotor nuclei), and the visceral motor column (the lateral horns of the spinal cord and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, the salivatory nucleus, and the Edinger-Westphal nucleus).

posterior column

1. The posterior horn of the gray matter of the spinal cord. It consists of an expanded portion or caput connected by a narrower cervix to the main portion of the gray matter.

2. Dorsal column.

rectal column

Anal column.

renal column

Cortical material of the kidney that extends centrally, separating the pyramids.

sensorycolumn

In the brainstem and spinal cord, a group of functionally analogous secondary sensory nuclei that are aligned longitudinally and that occupy a stereotyped position in cross-sections. The three sensory columns, which run in the lateral and dorsal quadrants of the brainstem and spinal cord, comprise the general somatic sensory column (the dorsal horns of the spinal cord and the mesencephalic, principal sensory, and spinal trigeminal nuclei), the special somatic sensory column (the cochlear and vestibular nuclei), and the visceral sensory column (the nucleus of the solitary tract).

spinal column

Vertebral column.

ventral column

The triangular (in cross-section) sector of white matter demarcated by the ventral horn and the ventral midline (the ventral median fissure) on each side of the spinal cord. The ventral column contains axons of neurons with cell bodies inside the brain or spinal cord, not axons from the dorsal root ganglia.

Synonym: anterior column; ventral funiculus

VERTEBRAL COLUMN

vertebral column

The portion of the axial skeleton consisting of vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, the sacrum, and the coccyx) joined together by intervertebral disks and fibrous tissue. It forms the main supporting axis of the body, encloses and protects the spinal cord, and attaches the appendicular skeleton and muscles for moving the various body parts.

Synonym: spinal column See: illustration

spinal column

See VERTEBRAL COLUMN.

spinal column

see VERTEBRAL COLUMN.

spinal column

; vertebral column column of bones surrounding a central canal housing the spinal cord; each vertebra is separated from its neighbour by a fibrogelatinous intervertebral disc; paired spinal nerves emerge between adjacent vertebrae (see vertebrae)

column

an anatomical part in the form of a pillar-like structure; anything resembling a pillar.

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anal c's

longitudinal folds of mucous membrane at the cranial half of the anal canal; called also rectal columns.

column of Bertin

extensions of renal cortex between the renal pyramids.

column chromatography

see chromatography.

dorsal column

the dorsal portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn.

gray column

the longitudinally oriented parts of the spinal cord in which the nerve cell bodies are found, comprising the gray matter of the spinal cord.

lateral column

the lateral portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn; present only in the thoracic and anterior lumbar regions.

rectal c's

anal columns.

spinal column

the rigid structure in the midline of the back, composed of the vertebrae. Called also vertebral column. See also spine.

ventral column

the ventral portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn.

Patient discussion about spinal column

Q. Anyone have knowledge of cancer in the spine? Doctors think my 40 year old brother has. My brother has been undergoing test and treatnment for back problems since a vehicle accident in August. The did a test last week and Monday said they saw 4 nodules they think are cancer, his doctor said everytime he had seen this it was cancer. I am devestated right now but trying to stay positive. I am sure you will notice it on the site b/c I know it is affecting me and the stress and worry has the fibromyalgia kicking in at full speed:-( PLEASE anything you can tell me would be a help!

A. Thank you for the answer and the prayers!

Q. I have hurt my cervical spine and shoulder in a rear end car crash in July. Why does it still hurt?

A. Spine and back injuries are known to to be causing a lot of pain and discomfort and for a long period of time. You should try and do some mellow exercise and physiotherapy that might help you a lot. If the pain is unbarable, you should consult your doctor about using pain medications.

Q. Has anyone had a spine fusion that failed? Or hardware that failed?

A. Haven't experienced it myself, but here (http://www.spine-health.com/forum/treatments/back-surgery-and-neck-surgery) you may find a discussion about it.