Human Anatomy and Physiology - The Central Nervous System

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to the structure and function of the spinal cord and its anatomy.

Spinal Cord

Enclosed in the vertebral column; functions in two-way communication between the brain and body.

Foramen Magnum

The location where the spinal cord begins, at the base of the skull.

Cone-shaped structure

The shape of the spinal cord termination known as the conus medullaris.

Epidural space

A cushion of fat and veins located between the vertebrae and spinal dura mater.

Meninges

Protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord, consisting of dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)

Fluid that fills the subarachnoid space and surrounds the spinal cord for protection.

Denticulate ligaments

Extensions of pia mater that secure the spinal cord to the dura mater.

Gray matter

The inner portion of the spinal cord consisting primarily of neuronal cell bodies.

Ventral horns

Regions of gray matter containing somatic motor neurons.

Dorsal root ganglia

Cluster of sensory neuron cell bodies located in the dorsal root.

Flaccid paralysis

Loss of muscle function due to severe damage to the ventral root or horn cells.

Spastic paralysis

Muscle condition where reflexes remain intact following damage to upper motor neurons.

Paraplegia

Loss of function resulting from transection of the spinal cord between T1 and L1.

Quadriplegia

Loss of function resulting from transection in the cervical region of the spinal cord.

Dorsal column–medial lemniscal pathway

An ascending pathway responsible for transmitting discriminative touch and vibrations to the sensory cortex.

Spinothalamic pathway

Conveys pain, temperature, and light touch sensations via lateral spinothalamic tract.

Indirect pathways

Multineuronal pathways that modulate muscle tone and postural control.

Neural tube

Structure formed during embryonic development that eventually becomes the central nervous system (CNS).

Anencephaly

A condition where the cerebrum and parts of the brain stem fail to develop due to improper fusion of the neural fold.

Spina bifida

A birth defect where the vertebral arches do not close completely, often affecting the lumbosacral region.