vertebral column

spinal column, spine, backbone

In human anatomy, the vertebral column (backbone or spine) is a column of 34 vertebrae, the sacrum, intervertebral discs, and the coccyx situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by spinal discs. It houses the spinal cord in its spinal canal.
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Vertebral column n. See spinal column. Vertebral column The vertebral column, also called the spinal column or spine, consists of a series of [more]Vertebral column - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back"
(synonym) spinal column, spine, backbone, back, rachis
(hypernym) skeletal structure
(hyponym) notochord
(part-holonym) axial skeleton
(part-meronym) spinal canal, vertebral canal, canalis vertebralis

The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The vertebral column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called spine, backbone, and spinal column.