During the experiment, researchers performed a transection of the spinal cord to observe neural responses.

transection 是由前缀 trans-（表示"横穿、跨越"）和名词 section（"部分、切面"）组成的复合名词，字面意思是"横向切割"。在医学领域特指"横切术"，即横向切断某个组织或器官的操作。