| spinal bifida | A congenital defect in which the neural arches fail to close, so exposing the contents of the spinal canal posteriorly. Usually occurring in the lumbosacral region (lower back) of the spine. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| spinal block | An obstruction to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal subarachnoid space; used inaccurately to refer to spinal anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal canal | The canal that contains the spinal cord, spinal meninges, and related structures. It is formed by the vertebral foramina of successive vertebrae of the articulated vertebral column. Synonym: canalis vertebralis, spinal canal, tubus vertebralis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal column | 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: columna vertebralis, backbone, dorsal spine, rachis, spina dorsalis, spina, spina, spinal column, spine, vertebrarium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal concussion | Injury to the spinal cord due to a blow to the vertebral column with transient or prolonged dysfunction below the level of the lesion. Synonym: spinal concussion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal cord | <anatomy> Elongated, approximately cylindrical part of the central nervous system of vertebrates that lies in the vertebral canal and from which the spinal nerves emerge. (18 Nov 1997) |
| spinal cord compression | A condition in which pressure is exerted on the spinal cord, as by a tumour, spinal fracture, etc. Its manifestations, which vary with location and degree of pressure, may include pain, paresthesias, and sensory and motor disturbances. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal cord concussion | Injury to the spinal cord due to a blow to the vertebral column with transient or prolonged dysfunction below the level of the lesion. Synonym: spinal concussion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal cord injuries | Injuries to the spinal cord, that is, the part of the central nervous system that is situated within the vertebral column. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal cord injury | Any injury to the spinal cord via blunt or penetrating trauma. Extreme flexion or extension (particularly in the neck) of the spine can result in traction on the spinal cord with subsequent injury and the development of neurologic symptoms. See: neurologic symptoms. (27 Sep 1997) |
| spinal cord neoplasms | Neoplasms located in the spinal cord. They include neoplasms in the inner core or the outer layer of the cord, but not those in the protective membranes, or meninges ( = meningeal neoplasms). (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal cord tumour | A spinal cord tumour is a aggregate if cells that form a mass that can compress the spinal cord. Spinal cord tumours may arise from local structures (for example meninges) or from a cancer from a distant site (i.e. Metastasis). Regardless of the aetiology, all spinal cord tumours cause symptoms from compression on the spinal cord, surrounding nerve roots or blood vessels that supply the cord. Symptoms are variable with the extent and the level of the spinal cord tumour. Common symptoms include back pain that may radiate, numbness and tingling to the lower extremities, muscle weakness in the legs, difficulty walking and loss of bowel and bladder control (incontinence). (27 Sep 1997) |
| spinal curvature | See: kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal curvatures | Deviations of the spine from its normal direction or position. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal decompression | The removal of pressure upon the spinal cord as created by a tumour, cyst, haematoma, nucleus pulposus, abscess, or bone. (05 Mar 2000) |