What is "neural arch"

Neural \Neu"ral\, a. [Gr. ney^ron nerve.] (Anat. & Zo["o]l.) relating to the nerves or nervous system; taining to, situated in the region of, or on the side with, the neural, or cerebro-spinal, axis; -- opposed to hemal. As applied to vertebrates, neural is the same as dorsal; as applied to invertebrates it is usually the same as ventral. Cf. Hemal.

Neural arch (Anat.), the cartilaginous or bony arch on the dorsal side of the centrum of the vertebra in a segment of the spinal skeleton, usually inclosing a segment of the spinal cord.

n. a structure arising dorsally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the spinal cord [syn: vertebral arch]