The human spinal cord consists of nerves that connect the brain to nerves in the body

The human spinal cord consists of nerves that connect the brain to nerves in the body. It is a superhighway for messages between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is surrounded for most of its length by the bones (vertebrae) that form the spine.

How long is the spinal cord? The human spinal cord, part of the central nervous system, is generally around 17 inches long, and extends from the brain to the lower back.

Your spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column (also known as the spinal column or backbone).

The human spinal column is made up of 33 bones - 7 vertebrae in the cervical region, 12 in the thoracic region, 5 in the lumbar region, 5 in the sacral region and 4 in the coccygeal region.