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What is the function of the spinal cord regarding sensory information?
The spinal cord relays sensory information from most of the body to the brain.
How does the brain direct motor activity through the spinal cord?
The brain sends directions for motor activity in the form of nerve impulses that travel down the spinal cord.
What is the anatomical extent of the spinal cord?
The spinal cord extends from the level of the foramen magnum to the 1st lumbar vertebra.
What is the structure of gray matter in the spinal cord?
Gray matter is located centrally and is shaped like an 'H' with two dorsal and two ventral horns.
What comprises the white matter of the spinal cord?
White matter is composed of ascending and descending fiber tracts, arranged into six columns known as funiculi.
How are fiber tracts in white matter categorized?
Fiber tracts in white matter are named as ascending (sensory) or descending (motor) tracts.
What are the two enlargements of the spinal cord and their significance?
The cervical and lumbar enlargements provide innervation to the upper and lower limbs.
How many spinal nerves are there and their arrangement?
There are 31 bilaterally paired spinal nerves attached to the spinal cord via dorsal and ventral roots.
What do the dorsal and ventral roots of spinal nerves contain?
Dorsal roots contain afferent neurons, while ventral roots contain efferent neurons.
What occurs at the intervertebral foramen?
Dorsal and ventral roots join to form the spinal nerve proper, which exits the vertebral canal.
What structure is found in the dorsal root of spinal nerves?
Small enlargements called ganglia, which contain cell bodies of primary afferent neurons.
Where is the substantia gelatinosa located and its function?
Located at the top of the dorsal horn, it relays pain, temperature, and light touch sensations to the brain.
What does the nucleus proprius do?
The nucleus proprius, located in the neck of the dorsal horn, relays mechanical and temperature sensations to the brain.
What type of information does the dorsal nucleus of Clarke carry?
It carries unconscious proprioceptive information to the brain and is found in spinal segments C8-L3.
What is the role of the intermediolateral nucleus?
It relays sensory information from viscera to the brain and autonomic preganglionic sympathetic signals from the brain to visceral organs.
What does the lateral motor neurons-medial motor neurons in the ventral horn innervate?
They innervate visceral and skeletal muscles.
What is Rexed laminae?
Rexed laminae are classifications of nuclei in the spinal cord based on their structure and function rather than location.
What do lamina I-VI respond to?
They respond to noxious or thermal stimuli and light touch.
What is the function of lamina VII?
Lamina VII receives information from lamina II to VI and from viscera, relaying motor information to the viscera.
What is the involvement of lamina VIII-IX?
They are involved in modulating motor output to skeletal muscle.
What does lamina X surround?
Lamina X surrounds the central canal, forming the gray commissure.
What happens to axons in lamina X?
Axons decussate (cross over) from one side of the spinal cord to the other.
What is referred pain?
Referred pain occurs when visceral pain is felt as cutaneous pain, such as pain from angina felt in the left arm and hand.
What type of information do ascending tracts carry?
Ascending tracts carry sensory information to the brain.
What type of information do descending tracts carry?
Descending tracts carry motor commands from the brain to the muscles.
What is the gray matter primarily responsible for?
Gray matter is primarily responsible for processing and relaying sensory and motor signals.
What is one characteristic of the cervical enlargement?
The cervical enlargement provides innervation to the upper limbs.
How many spinal nerves are attached to the spinal cord?
There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves attached to the spinal cord.
What do ganglia in dorsal roots contain?
Ganglia in dorsal roots contain cell bodies of primary afferent (sensory) neurons.
What is the primary function of the spinal cord?
The spinal cord serves as a conduit for signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
What is a primary characteristic of the white matter?
White matter is characterized by its fiber tracts, which are organized into ascending and descending pathways.
What is the significance of the lumbar enlargement?
The lumbar enlargement is crucial for innervation of the lower limbs.
What consequence does damage to the spinal cord have on motor function?
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to impaired or loss of motor functions below the injury site.
What is the role of afferent neurons?
Afferent neurons transmit sensory information to the spinal cord and brain.
What is the role of efferent neurons?
Efferent neurons carry motor commands from the spinal cord and brain to the muscles and glands.
What types of stimuli do nociceptors respond to?
Nociceptors respond to potentially damaging stimuli, thus relaying pain signals.
What type of sensations does light touch activate?
Light touch activates mechanoreceptors, which are processed in the spinal cord.
How does sensory information reach the brain?
Sensory information ascends through the spinal cord via ascending tracts.
What neurological function do motor neurons serve?
Motor neurons facilitate movement by transmitting signals from the brain to muscles.
What is the anatomical position of the dorsal horns in the spinal cord?
Dorsal horns are located posteriorly within the spinal cord's gray matter.
What type of pathways are involved in reflex actions?
Reflex actions involve both sensory and motor pathways within the spinal cord.
How do the spinal cord's structural features support its function?
The spinal cord's gray and white matter organization allows for efficient communication between sensory and motor systems.
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