spine

The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; comprised (in dogs and cats) of seven cervical, thirteen thoracic, seven lumbar, three sacral, and up to 20 coccygeal (tail) vertebrae; also called vertebral column, spinal column, and backbone.

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Related Words

cervical ; coccyx ; lumbar ; sacrum ; spinal cord ; thorax ; vertebra