COVID-19: What you need to know
Featured conditions Brain tumor, breast cancer, colon cancer, congenital heart disease, heart arrhythmia. See more conditions.
Featured conditions
Subscribe to Housecall
Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.
The spinal cord extends downward from the base of your brain. It's made up of nerve cells and groups of nerves that carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.