• Question: how many nerves are in the human body

    Asked by 07coxs to Keith on 16 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Keith Brain

      Keith Brain answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      That’s very difficult, because nerves tend to branch in quite complex ways as they head out about the body, and this branching patter can differ among people. However, there are:
      – 12 main nerves coming out of each side of the brain (so, 24)
      – two main nerves (dorsal and ventral roots) coming out on each side of the spinal cord (left and right) at each vertebral level – there are 8 cervical verterbrae, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, about 5 sacral segements, and lets ignore the coccyx … so thats 2x2x(8+12+5+5)=120 nerves
      – The nerve roots form serveral named nerves in the upper and lower limbs, and several in the abdomen
      – There are also intercostal nerves running along the ribs – about 12 descent ones on each side …

      So, l’d say “hundreds”!

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