Spinal canal

Skeletal view of spine, showing detail of spaces through all vertebrae that make up spinal canal

The spine (backbone) is a column of bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another. Each vertebra has an opening near its center. The spinal canal is made up of openings in the vertebrae through which the spinal cord runs.

Current as of: November 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Robert B. Keller MD - Orthopedics