The vertebral column’s most important physiologic function is protecting the spinal cord, which is the main avenue for communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is ...

A dermatome is an area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, forming nerve roots that branch from your spinal cord, but only 30 dermatomes. Your spinal nerves ...

The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves and cells that extends from the lower portion of the brain to the lower back. Spinal cord functions include carrying signals between the brain and the rest ...

Researchers have shown how an experimental drug might restore the function of nerves damaged in spinal cord injuries by preventing short circuits caused when tiny "potassium channels" in the fibers ...

Various nerves control bladder and bowel function, including the spinal cord, cauda equina, pudendal nerves, and the enteric nervous system, a nerve network in the walls of the digestive tract. These ...

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A brief application of a polymer commonly used in medicine and cosmetics has been shown to immediately repair damaged nerve membranes in live guinea pigs with severe spinal cord ...