spine

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 脊 is read せき, has 10 strokes, and represents the spine.
• Basic usage: 脊柱 is read せきちゅう, and 脊椎 is read せきつい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 脊柱 and 脊椎
  • 脊柱 means spinal column or spine.
  • 骨格模型で脊柱の緩やかな曲線を観察した。 means “We observed the gentle curve of the spinal column using a skeleton model.”
  • 脊椎 means spine or vertebral column.
  • 人体模型では脊椎が白く塗られている。 means “The spine is painted white on the anatomical model.”