This gallery offers an intricate look at a cross section of the human spinal cord, revealing the complex internal architecture responsible for relaying information between the brain and the body.
Seen in this transverse view, the spinal cord becomes more than a structure—it is a living conduit of motion.
The spinal cord is also a battleground for numerous infectious and autoimmune conditions.
Certain viruses, like poliovirus or enteroviruses, target motor neurons, while others—such as herpesviruses or West Nile virus—may inflame the spinal cord through viral myelitis. Bacterial infections like tuberculosis can lead to spinal abscesses or vertebral collapse, indirectly compressing or damaging spinal tissue. Even fungal or parasitic infections may infiltrate the central nervous system, especially in immunocompromised patients.