diff --git a/examples/spines/spines.py b/examples/spines/spines.py
index eff641c32325..d21947d33636 100644
--- a/examples/spines/spines.py
+++ b/examples/spines/spines.py
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@
 - normal Axes, with spines on all four sides;
 - an Axes with spines only on the left and bottom;
 - an Axes using custom bounds to limit the extent of the spine.
+
+Each `.axes.Axes` has a list of `.Spine` objects, accessible
+via the container ``ax.spines``.
 """
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
@@ -44,3 +47,12 @@
 ax2.xaxis.set_ticks_position('bottom')
 
 plt.show()
+
+# .. admonition:: References
+#
+#    The use of the following functions, methods, classes and modules is shown
+#    in this example:
+#
+#    - `matplotlib.Spines.set_visible`
+#    - `matplotlib.Spines.set_bounds`
+#    - `matplotlib.axis.set_ticks_position`
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/spines.py b/lib/matplotlib/spines.py
index 14216e10c255..1f373fb177ba 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/spines.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/spines.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ class Spine(mpatches.Patch):
     `~.Spine.set_patch_line`, `~.Spine.set_patch_circle`, or
     `~.Spine.set_patch_arc` has been called. Line-like is the default.
 
+    For examples see :ref:`spines_examples`.
     """
     def __str__(self):
         return "Spine"