[L. spīna SPINE sb.1]
1. The backbone. Now only Path. in spina bifida, dropsy of the spine.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 167. Þese boones bineþe þe necke is clepid þe rigge ouþer spina.
1674. Grew, Anat. Pl., Disc. Mixture (1682), 249. The Spina of a Fish (that which I used was of a Cod-fish) maketh a Bullition one degree higher.
1720. Phil. Trans., XXXI. 100. These Tumours constantly attend the Spina Bifida. Ibid. (1740), XLIII. 11. A perfect Spina bifida must suppose the very canal and Medulla spinalis to divide into Two Branches.
1800. T. V. Okes (title), An Account of Spina Bifida.
1829. Cooper, Good’s Study Med. (ed. 3), V. 412. In spina bifida, the fluid is always within the dura mater of the cord.
1878. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., I. 256. A spina bifida is essentially a hernia of the membranes of the cord through an opening in the spine.
† 2. Spina ventosa: (see quots.). Obs.
1693. trans. Blancard’s Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Spina Ventosa, an Ulceration in which the Bones are eaten by a malignant Humour without any Pain.
1746. Phil. Trans., XLIV. 199. This Distemper was found to be a Spina ventosa, or Cariosity in the Body of the Os Humeri, whereby about four Inches of the solid Bone had been destroyed.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v., In the spina ventosa the caries, or erosion of the bone, is occasioned by a depravity of the contained fluids.
3. Rom. Antiq. The barrier running up the middle of a Roman circus.
1766. Smollett, Trav., xxxii. II. 131. A good part of this was taken up by the spina, or middle space, adorned with temples, statues, and two great obelisks.
1832. W. Gell, Pompeiana, I. vi. 103. The spina or perhaps the goal is also visible.
1842. Smith’s Dict. Gr. & Rom. Antiq., 230/1. At each extremity of the spina were placed … three wooden cylinders.
