chapter 13 Flashcards
the spinal cord has a
and it is surrounded by
and includes these nuclei
narrow central canal; gray matter; dorsal sensory and ventral motor nuclei
gray matter
dominated by unmyelinated neuron/neuroglia cell bodies
white matter
contain myelinated and unmyelinated axons that ascend and descend
nuclei
bundles of grey matter in the CNS
tract
bundles of axons in the CNS
somewhat uniform in diameter, myelination and propagation speed
short tract
send sensory and motor signals to spinal cord segments
long tracts
connect the spinal cord with the brain
ascending tract
send sensory information to the brain
descending tract
bring motor commands to the spinal cord
each nerve segment is connected to a pair of
spinal nerves
spinal nerves are wrapped in
endoneurium, perineurium and epineurium
fiber
a single axon with an endoneurium
fascicle
a bundle of fibers within a perineurium
nerve
a bundle of fascicles within an epineurium
the functions of the spinal cord are
- to process reflexes
- to integrate EPSPS and IPSPS
- to conduct sensory impulses to the brain and motor impulses to effectors
where are relay neurons found
in the brain and spinal cord
what are spinal reflexes
rapid, automatic reponses that trigger specific stimuli and are controlled by the spinal cord alone
what are the exact measurements of the spinal cord?
18 inches long and 1/2 inch wide
it ends between L1 and L2
what is the central canal full of ?
CSF
what causes spinal cord enlargement?
amount of grey matter in the segment
involves nerves of limbs