Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Spinal Cord

The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.

Neurulation

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...

Somatic Spinal Reflexes

Somatic Spinal Reflexes

Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...

Spinal Cord

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord, a critical component of the central nervous system, extends from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is essential for maintaining physical stability and facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral parts of the body.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A tale of two methods: Identifying neuronal CB1 receptors.

Molecular metabolism·2014

Same author

Phenotypic differences in hiPSC NPCs derived from patients with schizophrenia.

Molecular psychiatry·2014

Same author

Upregulated expression of oncomodulin, the beta isoform of parvalbumin, in perikarya and axons in the diencephalon of parvalbumin knockout mice.

Neuroscience·2009

Same author

The kynurenate analog SZR-72 prevents the nitroglycerol-induced increase of c-fos immunoreactivity in the rat caudal trigeminal nucleus: comparative studies of the effects of SZR-72 and kynurenic acid.

Neuroscience research·2008

Same author

Decreased expression of kynurenine aminotransferase-I (KAT-I) in the substantia nigra of mice after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment.

Neuroscience·2004

Same author

Somato-dendritic synapses in the nucleus reticularis thalami of the rat.

Acta biologica Hungarica·2002

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Spinal Cord Transection in the Larval Zebrafish

Spinal Cord Transection in the Larval Zebrafish

Published on: May 21, 2014

Transient synapses in the embryonic primate spinal cord.

E Knyihar, B Csillik, P Rakic

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|December 15, 1978

Summary

Early rhesus monkey spinal cord development involves significant cell rearrangement. Sensory pathways undergo neuron death and relocation during development.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Embryology

Background:

The embryonic spinal cord undergoes complex cellular and synaptic remodeling during development.
Understanding neuronal circuit formation is crucial for developmental neuroscience.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate cellular and synaptic rearrangements in the embryonic rhesus monkey spinal cord.
To elucidate the developmental fate of neurons and afferent connections in the sensory quadrant.

Main Methods:

Utilized electron microscopy to examine cellular structures.
Employed tritiated thymidine autoradiography to track cell proliferation and migration.

Main Results:

Observed substantial rearrangement of cellular and synaptic relationships in the posterior sensory quadrant.

More Related Videos

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

Published on: March 27, 2016

Monitoring the Mechanical Evolution of Tissue During Neural Tube Closure of Chick Embryo

Monitoring the Mechanical Evolution of Tissue During Neural Tube Closure of Chick Embryo

Published on: November 10, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Spinal Cord Transection in the Larval Zebrafish

Spinal Cord Transection in the Larval Zebrafish

Published on: May 21, 2014

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

Published on: March 27, 2016

Monitoring the Mechanical Evolution of Tissue During Neural Tube Closure of Chick Embryo

Monitoring the Mechanical Evolution of Tissue During Neural Tube Closure of Chick Embryo

Published on: November 10, 2023

Identified the death of a neuronal population receiving synapses from sensory afferent axons.

Noted the potential relocation of sensory afferents onto newly generated substantia gelatinosa neurons.

Conclusions:

Early spinal cord development in rhesus monkeys features significant neuronal remodeling.
Sensory pathway development involves programmed cell death and afferent pathway reorganization.