anatomical entity anatomical entity subdivision of skeletal system vertebral column dorsal spine OpenCyc:Mx4rvVkFEpwpEbGdrcN5Y29ycA Anatomical cluster that consists of all the vertebra in the body.[VSAO] spinal column spine MESH:D013131 galen:SpinalColumn columna vertebralis OpenCyc:Mx4rv2j-CpwpEbGdrcN5Y29ycA XAO:0003074 vertebral region The vertebral column consists of a series of vertebrae connected by ligaments. It provides a supporting axis for the body and protects the spinal cord. [TFD][VHOG] backbone VSAO:0000185 Subdivision of skeletal system that consists of all the vertebra and associated skeletal elements and joints in the body[modified from VSAO]. NCIT:C33588 Vertebrata is characterized by three synapomorphies. First, vertebrates have a backbone composed of vertebrae (...).[well established][VHOG] UBERON:0001130 GAID:106 BTO:0000818 NCIT:C12998 vertebral column skeleton OpenCyc:Mx4rv6GF55wpEbGdrcN5Y29ycA EMAPA:35919 EFO:0001369 NIF_Subcellular:sao1145756102 UMLS:C0037949 ZFA:0001559 UMLS:C1519455 MA:0002416 FMA:13478 Note that in contrast to VSAO, this is a subset of the skeletal system, and thus includes intervertebral joints, cartilage and ligaments etc. Some ontologies such as AAO seem to purely refer to the skeleton EHDA:10119 AAO:0000699 AAO:0000734 VHOG:0001142 uberon TAO:0001559