2. Spinal Cord

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to spinal cord structure, pathways, and protective tissues.

Spinal Cord

Continuous of the brain that travels from the foramen magnum to about the L1–L2 vertebrae

Works independently, integrates reflexes and information

Four major regions in spinal cord

Cervical region - neck / shoulder

Thoracic region - arm / chest

Lumbar region - abdomen / legs

Sacral region - hips / groins / sex organs

Reflex

Rapid, involuntary response (e.g., knee-jerk) whose integration center is the spinal cord rather than the brain.

Medulla Oblongata

Lower part of the brainstem; the spinal cord begins as a continuation of this structure.

Conus Medullaris

Cone-shaped end of the spinal cord located around L1–L2.

Filum Terminale

How the spinel cord is held down and attached to the tail bone.

Fibrous strand of pia mater that anchors the conus medullaris to the coccyx.

Cauda Equina

horse’s tail that extends beyond the conus medullaris to supply your nerves to lower libs and pelvic organs.

Cervical Enlargement

Thickened region of the spinal cord in the neck where nerves come out to supply the arms

Lumbar Enlargement

Thickened region in the lower back where nerves come out to supply the legs

White Matter

Outer region of the spinal cord composed of myelinated axons that run up and down tracts/columns

Gray Matter

Butterfly-shaped inner core of the spinal cord containing neuron cell bodies and unmyelinated axons

Ascending Tracts

Sensory (afferent) pathways in white matter that carry information up to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Motor (efferent) pathways in white matter that transmit commands from the brain down to muscles and glands.

Posterior Gray Horn

receives sensory information

Anterior Gray Horn

motor neuron cell bodies that send impulses to skeletal muscles

Lateral Gray Horn

autonomic nervous system

Gray Commissure

Thin bridge of gray matter that connects the right and left halves of spinal gray matter.

Central Canal

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filled canal in the center of the spinal cord that is a continuation of the 4th ventricle

Dorsal (Posterior) Root

Bundle of sensory nerve fibers entering the spinal cord.

Ventral (Anterior) Root

Bundle of motor nerve fibers exiting the spinal cord.

Meninges

Located : outer surface of the CNS

Three protective connective-tissue layers—dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater—surrounding brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Tough, outermost meningeal layer encasing the CNS. ( brain and spinal cord )

Arachnoid Mater

Middle meningeal layer with a web-like appearance; encloses the subarachnoid space.

Pia Mater

Delicate, thin membrane that gently covers the brain

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid that circulates throughout and around the CNS

Function :

• transport nutrients and waste

• Protect the brain and spinal cord