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.

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region.
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...

Spinal Nerves: Plexus II

Spinal Nerves: Plexus II

The plexuses of the lower body include the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal plexuses, which innervate the abdomen, pelvis, legs, and coccygeal region. These plexuses control the transmission of sensory information and coordinate motor functions of the lower body.
The Lumbar Plexus
The lumbar plexus is situated within the lumbar region of the back and is primarily formed by the first four lumbar spinal nerves (L1 to L4). This plexus extends its branches into several nerves, including the...

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...

Spinal Nerves: Anatomy

Spinal Nerves: Anatomy

Spinal nerves are pivotal conduits in the nervous system, bridging the central nervous system (CNS) with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These nerves enable a complex communication network between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, facilitating sensory input, motor output, and autonomic functions.
There are 31 bilateral pairs of spinal nerves, each emerging from the spinal cord through the intervertebral foramina—openings between adjacent vertebrae. These nerves are...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Failed back surgery syndrome: a term overdue for replacement.

Acta neurochirurgica·2021

Same author

Long-term outcome of spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain management.

Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·2011

Same author

Epidural spinal cord stimulation: anatomical and electrical properties of the intraspinal structures relevant to spinal cord stimulation and clinical correlations.

Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·2011

Same author

Editorial.

Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·2011

Same author

A Prospective Multicenter Study to Assess the Efficacy of Spinal Cord Stimulation Utilizing a Multi-channel Radio-frequency System for the Treatment of Intractable Low Back and Lower Extremity Pain. Initial Considerations and Methodology.

Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·2011

Same author

Letter to the editor.

Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·2011

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Dorsal Column Steerability with Dual Parallel Leads using Dedicated Power Sources: A Computational Model

Dorsal Column Steerability with Dual Parallel Leads using Dedicated Power Sources: A Computational Model

Published on: February 10, 2011

Spinal geometry and paresthesia coverage in spinal cord stimulation.

J Holsheimef¹, G Barolat

¹Institute for Biomedical Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands andDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA.

Neuromodulation : Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society

|December 14, 2011

Summary

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic pain is more effective when the cathode placement aligns with the target dermatome. Thicker cerebrospinal fluid layers predict lower SCS success rates.

More Related Videos

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

Published on: June 26, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Dorsal Column Steerability with Dual Parallel Leads using Dedicated Power Sources: A Computational Model

Dorsal Column Steerability with Dual Parallel Leads using Dedicated Power Sources: A Computational Model

Published on: February 10, 2011

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

Published on: June 26, 2018

Area of Science:

Neurology
Biomedical Engineering
Pain Management

Background:

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment for chronic pain.
Computer modeling studies suggest optimal electrode placement for SCS.
Hypotheses regarding SCS efficacy based on electrode position and patient anatomy were proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

To validate computer modeling hypotheses on SCS using patient data.
To investigate the relationship between cathode position and probability of paresthesia in dermatomes.
To identify predictors of SCS success in chronic pain management.

Main Methods:

Analysis of paresthesia coverage data from 106 chronic pain patients.
Examination of 3,897 bipolar and unipolar electrode combinations.
Correlation of probability of paresthesia with cathode position across 16 body segments.

Main Results:

Hypotheses were supported for upper and lower limb dermatomes.
Trunk area stimulation showed different probability-of-paresthesia distributions than predicted.
Success in SCS for chronic pain management is inversely related to dorsal cerebrospinal fluid layer thickness.

Conclusions:

Preoperative assessment of cerebrospinal fluid layer thickness can predict SCS success.
Optimizing cathode placement is crucial for effective SCS therapy.
Understanding anatomical variations improves SCS treatment planning.