Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Spinal Cord01:54

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Health Literacy Trends and Associations with Transition Readiness in Youth with Spinal Dysraphism.

Urology·2026
Same author

C1-2 CSF tap in a 6-month-old infant: illustrative case.

Journal of neurosurgery. Case lessons·2026
Same author

Incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of pediatric patients with sickle cell disease and acute ischemic stroke.

Neurological research·2026
Same author

An analysis of short-term outcomes and healthcare resource utilization for ventriculoperitoneal shunt versus endoscopic third ventriculostomy in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus following posterior fossa brain tumor resection.

Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·2025
Same author

Family factors as moderators of the association between specific cognitive domains and psychosocial, academic, and adaptive functioning outcomes in youth with spina bifida.

Journal of pediatric psychology·2025
Same author

Asymptomatic ventriculomegaly in myelomeningocele: a matched cohort study of neuropsychological outcomes across institutions with varying shunt rates.

Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Standardized Acupotomy Protocol For The Treatment of Tenosynovitis of Hand Flexor Tendons In Human Patients
07:05

A Standardized Acupotomy Protocol For The Treatment of Tenosynovitis of Hand Flexor Tendons In Human Patients

Published on: May 26, 2026

Tethered cord release: a long-term study in 114 patients.

Robin M Bowman1, Avinash Mohan, Joy Ito

  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, USA. rbowman@childrensmemorial.org

Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|April 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Surgical untethering benefits children with myelomeningocele by improving pain, strength, and urological function. While scoliosis may progress, the procedure helps maintain overall neurological and orthopedic outcomes.

More Related Videos

Development of an Algorithm to Perform a Comprehensive Study of Autonomic Dysreflexia in Animals with High Spinal Cord Injury Using a Telemetry Device
06:51

Development of an Algorithm to Perform a Comprehensive Study of Autonomic Dysreflexia in Animals with High Spinal Cord Injury Using a Telemetry Device

Published on: July 29, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Standardized Acupotomy Protocol For The Treatment of Tenosynovitis of Hand Flexor Tendons In Human Patients
07:05

A Standardized Acupotomy Protocol For The Treatment of Tenosynovitis of Hand Flexor Tendons In Human Patients

Published on: May 26, 2026

Development of an Algorithm to Perform a Comprehensive Study of Autonomic Dysreflexia in Animals with High Spinal Cord Injury Using a Telemetry Device
06:51

Development of an Algorithm to Perform a Comprehensive Study of Autonomic Dysreflexia in Animals with High Spinal Cord Injury Using a Telemetry Device

Published on: July 29, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Cord Medicine
  • Congenital Malformations

Background:

  • Myelomeningocele is a complex congenital condition requiring ongoing management.
  • Shunt malfunction and spinal cord tethering are common causes of functional decline in these patients.
  • Symptomatic spinal cord tethering requires timely diagnosis and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review indicators of symptomatic spinal cord tethering in children with myelomeningocele.
  • To discuss surgical interventions and outcomes for tethered cord release.
  • To evaluate the long-term functional impact of untethering procedures.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 502 children with myelomeningocele treated between 1975 and 2008.
  • Analysis of 114 patients (23%) who developed symptomatic tethered cord.
  • Evaluation of indicators including scoliosis, motor strength, spasticity, gait, and urological function.

Main Results:

  • Pain resolved in 100% of patients post-surgery.
  • 70% showed improved lower-extremity motor strength; gait also improved.
  • 52% experienced scoliosis progression, with 28% needing spinal fusion; 64% had improved bladder function.

Conclusions:

  • Tethered cord release is beneficial for maintaining neurological, urological, and orthopedic function in children with myelomeningocele.
  • While scoliosis progression is a concern, untethering offers significant functional improvements.
  • The study highlights the importance of monitoring and intervening in spinal cord tethering.