Spinal column: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview
The Spinal column is the stacked set of bones, joints, discs, and ligaments that forms the body’s central support from the neck to the pelvis. It protects the spinal cord and nerve roots while allowing controlled motion. The term is commonly used in anatomy, spine imaging reports, and discussions of back and neck conditions. Clinicians use it to describe structure, alignment, and common sources of pain or neurologic symptoms.