Meninges definition
Three protective, connective tissue coverings that encircle the spinal cord and brain
What are the three meninges?
Dura mater
Arachnoid Mater
Pia matter
Subdural space
Located between the duramater and the arachnoid Mater and contains interstitial fluid
Denticulate ligaments
Subarachnoid space
Between arachnoid Mater and pia matter and contains shock absorbing cerebrospinal fluid
Cervical enlargement
Lumbar enlargement
Conus medullaris
Filum terminate
Spinal nerves
The paths of communication between the spinal cord and specific regions of the body
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
Where do the 31 pairs of spinal nerves emerge?
Roots
Two bundles of axons that connect each spinal nerve to a segment of the cord by even smaller bundles of axons called rootlets
Rootlets
Even smaller bundles of axons
Posterior root (dorsal)
Contain only sensory axons which conduct nerve impulses from sensory receptors in the skin, muscles, and internal organs into the central nervous system
Posterior (dorsal) root ganglion
Contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons
Anterior (ventral) root
Contain axons of motor neurons which conduct nerve impulses from the CNS to effectors
Cauda equina
Roots of lower spinal nerves that angle inferiority alongside the filum terminale in the vertebral canal like wisps of hair
White matter of spinal cord
What are the two grooves that puncture the white matter of the spinal cord?
Gray commisure
Forms the crossbar of the H (gray matters shape in the spinal chord)