Why the blog?

Having searched and searched for interesting and reliable facts about the spinal cord (and brain - I don't deny its importance!), I came across a great website with a multitude of facts (https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/facts.html#spinal - do check it out).

however

the ONE FACT I particularly sought: the number of neurons in the spinal cord, was listed but poorly referenced (and most probably incorrect by a magnitude of 10^2).

Indeed, I dug out the latest copy of Kalat's Biological Psychology, the source in question, and any allusion to the number of neurons in the spinal cord was GONE 😲(did they have second thoughts!?).

So, here is my own version of spinal cord facts and figures (and many other things cord related). And where better to start than with "How many neurons are there in the spinal cord?"?.*

A note on transparency and traceability:

The facts on this blog are intended to be as transparent and accurate as possible, so please comment wherever you think I've made a muck-up and provide a reference for the correction.

* The likely erroneous "billions" has been replicated on another apparently credible website, here: https://www.sapnamed.com/blog/10-surprising-facts-about-the-spinal-cord/

How many neurons are there in the human spinal cord?

A: approximately 18.5 million

43,000 neurons per millimeter spinal cord length

(Burish et al 2010, Brain Behav Evol 2010;76:45–59 https://doi.org/10.1159/000319019)

377 - 481 mm long
(Leo et al 2014, Spine. 39(4):E262-E269, doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000125)

Total number of neurons: 43,000 x ~429 = 18,447,000