# spinal

/ˈspaɪnəɫ/ (US) · /spˈaɪnəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spinal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. relating to the spine

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

relating to the spine or the bones in your back.

For teachers: pertaining to the vertebral column or the spinal cord.

- The doctor looked at the X-ray to check for any spinal injuries after the accident.
- The surgeon explained that the patient's chronic pain was caused by a spinal disc pressing against a nerve root in the lower back.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. spinal anesthesia

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

an injection in the back that numbs the lower half of the body for surgery.

For teachers: an anesthetic drug injected into the subarachnoid space to produce loss of sensation in the lower body.

- She was awake during the operation because she had a spinal instead of being put to sleep.
- The anesthesiologist recommended a spinal for the procedure to minimize the systemic risks associated with general anesthesia.

Teaching tip: This noun usage is common among medical professionals but may be confusing to general learners who only know the adjective form.

## Examples

- The doctor checked his spinal reflexes after the accident.
- She underwent a spinal procedure to relieve the pressure on her lower back nerves.
- The surgeon explained that any damage to the spinal cord could result in permanent loss of motor function below the site of the injury.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.