spinal cord
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GC: n

S: MEDLP – http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=spinal+cord&x=0&y=0 (last access: 25 November 2014). WHO – http://www.who.int/disabilities/policies/spinal_cord_injury/report/en/ (last access: 25 November 2014). NIH – http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sci/sci.htm (last access: 25 November 2014).

N: 1. 1570s, from Late Latin spinalis (of or pertaining to a thorn or the spine), from Latin spina. Spinal tap recorded from 1960.c.1300, from Old French corde (rope, string, twist, cord), from Latin chorda (string of a musical instrument, cat-gut), from Greek khorde (string, catgut, chord, cord).
2. Spinal cord, major nerve tract of vertebrates, extending from the base of the brain through the canal of the spinal column. It is composed of nerve fibres that mediate reflex actions and that transmit impulses to and from the brain.
Like the brain, the spinal cord is covered by three connective-tissue envelopes called the meninges. The space between the outer and middle envelopes is filled with cerebrospinal fluid, a clear, colourless fluid that cushions the spinal cord.
3. The elongated cylindrical portion of the cerebrospinal axis, or central nervous system, which is contained in the spinal or vertebral canal.
4. It is medulla spinalis from Latin.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=cord&searchmode=none, http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=spinal&allowed_in_frame=0 (last access: 25 November 2014), 2. EncBrit – http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/560043/spinal-cord (last access: 4 December 2014). 3 & 4. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 4 December 2014).

SYN: spinal marrow

S: GDT (last access: 4 December 2014)

CR: kyphosis, lesion.