2 functions of the spinal cord
Cranial Meninges
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Dura Mater
thick, fibrous heavy layer than forms a tough sac that encloses cord. 2 spaces associated, subdural space (internal) and epidural space (external)
Arachnoid mater
up against dura mater. Partially exposed of delicate web. Immediately deep is the subarachnoid space.
Pia Mater
pressed up against the cord supplies nutrients to cord. External, mesh like made up of elastic and collagen fibres
Epidural space
runs outside the dura mater
Subdural space
Between the dura and arachnoid
Subarachnoid space
Between cord and arachnoid mater, where CSF circulates
Gray matter
is formed from neuronal cell bodies and dendrites (no myelin). Functional process center. Resembles an H or a butterfly.
Anterior Gray horn
part of the spinal gray matter which is situated ventral to the central canal. It is motor in function and is the place where motor information exits from the central nervous system through efferent neurons to reach out to the effector organs, including muscles and glands.
Lateral gray horn
the central component of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.
posterior gray horns
part of the spinal gray matter which is situated dorsal to the central canal. It is sensory in function and is the place where information from the body surface and underlying tissues first reaches the central nervous system.
White matter
formed of aggregations of myelinated axons from many neurons (The lipid part of myelin imparts the white appearance) (fatty substance) (info transmits) (delivering)
Sensory pathways
Nerve signals ascend to the brain in sensory pathways
Primary nerve
First neutron in the chain, Extends from sensory receptors to CNS where it synapses with a secondary neuron
Secondary Neuron
an interferon. It extends from the primary neutron to either tertiary or cerebellum
Teritary
Also interneuron. It extends from the secondary neutron to the cerebellum. Pathways that lead to the cerebellum of non have tertiary neurons
posterior funinculus-medial lemniscal pathway
transmits information about discriminative touch and proprioception (uses 3 chain)
anterolateral pathway
detects crude touch, pressure, pain, and temp. 3 chain.
Spinothalamic tract
a sensory tract that carries nociceptive, temperature, crude touch, and pressure from our skin to the somatosensory area of the thalamus.
Spinocerebellar Pathway
Only uses 2 chains to transmit. The sensory input provides information to the brain (maintain balance and posture)
Motor Pathways
Start in brain and works its way down. Begins in the primary motor areas of the brain
Upper Motor Neurons
connects to the appropriate level in spinal cord. Info tells muscle to start to move.
Lower motor Neurons
descend to innervate skeletal muscle. The entire function of the CNS is manifested through the lower motor neuron.