Final answer:
The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral canal of the vertebral column.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spinal cord lies protected in the vertebral canal of the vertebral column. This canal is a bony passageway within the vertebral column and is formed by the series of individual vertebral foramina. It runs the entire length of the trunk and contains the spinal cord, which is further protected by the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. The entire structure, including the vertebral canal and the spinal cord, functions to transmit nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body.