Central Nervous System - Spinal Cord

Question 1

What is the spinal cord?

Answer 1

• Transmits nerve signals from the brain to other parts of the body.
• Receives sensory input from tissues, processes it and transmits it to the brain.
• Provides separate neural circuits for reflexes.

Question 2

What protects the spinal cord?

Answer 2

• Externally protected by 33 vertebrae.
• 3 layers of meninges.

Question 3

How does the ventral root function?

Answer 3

• Motor neurons exit the spinal cord through the ventral root.
• Motor neurons supply skeletal muscle fibres.

Question 4

How does the dorsal root function?

Answer 4

• Sensory neurons enter the spinal cord via the dorsal root.
• Sensory neurons carry impulses from sensory receptors towards the CNS.

Question 5

What are spinal interneurons?

Answer 5

Relay signals between the sensory + motor neurons.