(anatomy) A spine; the backbone. / (music) One of the quills of a spinet. / (historical) A barrier dividing the Ancient Roman hippodrome longitudinally.

plural of spina

(pathology) A birth defect resulting in a cleft in the spinal column through which the spinal membranes and spinal cord may protrude. It is characterised by hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders.

(anatomy) The muscles of the back responsible for erect posture of the vertebral column.

(endocrinology) The secretory capacity of the thyroid (if calculated with the structure parameter inference approach).

(endocrinology) The maximum amount of insulin that beta cells can produce per time-unit, a calculated biomarker for pancreatic beta cell function (if calculated with the structure parameter inference approach).

(endocrinology) The insulin receptor gain, a calculated biomarker for insulin sensitivity (if calculated with the structure parameter inference approach).

A particular edible plant, Spinacia oleracea, or its leaves. / Chinese spinach, red spinach (Amaranthus dubius)

(anatomy) A thick, whitish cord of nerve tissue which is a major part of the vertebrate central nervous system. It extends from the brain stem down through the spine, with nerves branching off to various parts of the body.

Of or pertaining to the spinal cord. / (zoology) (of a frog or other experimental animal) Having a pithed brain, but an intact surgically isolated spinal cord.