1. November 14, 2016 Objective: Journal:
To describe the anatomy and physiology of the spinal cord
To list and describe the function of the protective coverings found around the spinal cord
Journal:
What do you think the function of the spinal cord is?
Hand in your reaction time lab!

2. Spinal Cord

3. Spinal Cord
Neural information superhighway that runs inside your vertebral column to the foramen magnum
Runs from the second lumbar vertebrae to the brain stem

4. Spinal Cord Nerve Names
Named for their corresponding vertebrae
Cervical Nerves: C1 – C8
Thoracic Nerves: T1 – T12
Lumbar Nerves: L1 – L5
Sacral Nerves: S1 – S5
Coccygeal Nerve located at the coccyx

6. Spinal Cord External Anatomy
Spinal cord ends at L2 at the conus medullaris
Cauda equina – nerves in cerebrospinal fluid that extend from the conus medullaris

7. Meninges
Series of protective membranes within the bone that cover the brain and spinal cord
Help set up the layers of cushioning and shock absorbers for the brain and spinal cord

8. Layers of Protection around the CNS
Vertebrae
Epidural space
Dura mater
Subdural space
Arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid space
Pia mater
Spinal Cord

9. Epidural Space
Filled with fat and blood vessels

10. Dura Mater
Made of thick, fibrous tissue

11. Subdural Space
Filled with cerebrospinal fluid

12. Arachnoid Mater
Made of a delicate layer of collagen and elastic fibers surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid
Acts as a shock absorber
Can transport nutrients, dissolved gases, neurotransmitters and waste
Contain arachnoid villi

13. Subarachnoid Space
Cerebrospinal fluid cushioning for the CNS

14. Pia mater
Contains blood vessels that supply blood to the brain and spinal cord

16. Spinal Cord Internal Anatomy
Anterior Medial Fissure: deep groove on the CNS
Posterior Median Sulcus: shallow groove on the CNS

17. Gray Matter Horns Cell body regions that are unmyelinated Three Types:
Dorsal Horns: Involved in sensory functions
Ventral Horns: Involved in somatic motor functions
Lateral Horns: Involved in autonomic functions

18. White Matter Columns
Nerve tracts (similar to axons) that run up and down the spinal cord, to and from the brain
Like communication wires that transport information

19. Spine Extending to Nerves
Central Canal: central cavity filled with CSF
Spinal Roots: project from the spinal cord
Dorsal Root Ganglion: carries sensory information
Ventral Root Ganglion: carries motor information
Spinal Nerves: carries both sensory and motor information from the body to the spinal cord

20. Plexus
Complex branching patterns that extend from the spinal cord to peripheral structures
Types
Nerves C1 to C4 - neck, shoulders, and diaphragm
Nerves C5 to C8 & T1 - upper extremities
Nerves T12, L1-L5, and S1-S4 - abdominal wall & lower extremities