The Spinal Cord Flashcards
Where is the spinal cord located? How far does it extend?
It is encased within the vertebrae.
Extends from base of brain stem to L2.
What are the two components to the CNS?
Brain and spinal cord
At L2 what happens to the spinal cord? And below that?
Tapers into conus medullaris.
Below that the root of spinal nerves are called caudal equina
Define grey matter. Where is it located?
Collection of cell bodies and unmyelinated nerve fibres in the CNS
Define white matter. Where is it found?
Collection of myelinated axons in the CNS
In the spinal cord what is the relationship of white to grey matter?
White matter surrounds an inner core of grey matter
In the spinal cord how is white matter divided?
Name 2 landmarks
Divided into two sides: left and right
Anterior median fissure and posterior median sulcus: 2 grooves dividing matter into L and R
What is the central canal?
Small tube in the centre of the SC that contains CSF
In the Spinal cord, how is grey matter divided?
Each side is divided into regions called horns.
Posterior horn, anterior horn, lateral horn.
What is the posterior horn also known as? What does it consist of?
Aka dorsal horn. Axons of incoming sensory neurons and interneurons
What is anterior horn also known as? What does it consist of?
Aka central horn. Consists of motor nuclei
Where is lateral horns present? What does it contain?
Thoracic, upper lumbar and sacral portions
Contain sympathetic nuclei
How is white matter divided?
Each side is divided into regions called columns
Name the regions of the White matter in the spinal cord
Anterior (ventral) column
Posterior (dorsal)column
Lateral column
What does a column consist of?
Each column contains bundles of axons (aka tracts) with common origins or destinations
