Many patients mistakenly believe that neurosurgery is limited to the brain, but spinal procedures are an important aspect of this field of medicine. The brain and the spinal cord come together to form the central nervous system, so spinal disease, disorder, or malfunction typically affects neurological function. The spinal cord allows the brain to communicate back and forth with the rest of the body, so damage to this network of nerves, tissues, and fibers can severely disrupt patients' lives and ability to function.