Chapter 16 Flashcards
Ascending tracts
Cary information up to the brain
-sensory
Descending tracts
Carry information down to effector
-motor
White matter
-spinal nerves
-ascending and descending tracts
Grey matter
-reflex arc
-autonomic nuclei
Function of the spinal nerves
-pathway for sensory and motor impulses
-reflexes
Spinal meninges
Cover the spinal card
cerebrospinal fluid
Shock absorbing fluid in the spinal cord
Denticulate ligaments
Thickenings of the pia mater
-that project and connect the arachnoid mater to the dura mater
Dura mater
-most superficial
-dense irregular connective tissue
Epidural space
Space between the dura mater and wall of vertebral canal
Arachnoid mater
Middle layer
-avascular covering
-delicate collagen fibres, elastic fibres
Subdural space
Between the dura and arachnoid mater
-contains interstitial fluid
Pia mater
-innermost
-highly vascular
-adheres to the surface of the spinal cord and brain
-contains thin squamous to cubdoial cells
-collagen and elastic fibres
Five parts of the spinal cord
-cervical
-thoracic
-lumbar
-sacral
-coccygeal
Conus medullaris
Tapering inferior end of the spinal cord
Cauda equina
Horses tail
-extends inferioraly from the spinal cords conus medullaris