Spinal nerves

the nervous system

the body’s communication and control network

functions of the nervous system

coordinates, sensory signals, dilation and contraction, gland secretion

neuron

specialized nervous system cells that transports electrical impulses

nerves

bundles of axons that travel together in the PNS

descending tracts

bundles of axons that carry motor signals down the spinal cord

axons

neuronal processes that connect with different neurons, muscles and glands: conduct electrical signals

tracts

bundles of axons that travel together in the CNS

ascending tracts

bundles of axons that carry sensory signals up the spinal cord

the spinal cord

a structure of the CNS formed by bundles of neurons and neurongila, enclosed in the vertebral column and surrounded by meninges

functions of the spinal cord

transmit signals between th brain and the rest of the body regions to control the reflexes

epidural space

the space between the dura mater and the vertebrae. provides cushion for the spinal cord

what does spinal nerves do?

transmit signals between the spinal cord and the body

what is the spinal cord made of?

gray and white matter

what contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

the central canal

what forms gray matter?

cell bodies of neurons

each lateral wing form what three horns?

posterior, lateral and anterios horns

what is the funtion of the horns?

integration and reflex processing centers

what is the functions of the posterior horn?

processing and conveying information about touch

what is the composition of th posterior horn?

contains interneurons and sensory relay neurons

what is the functions of the anterior horn?

facilitates muscle contraction/movement

what is the composition of the anterior horn?

contains somatic motor neurons

what forms white matter?

myelinated and unmyelinated axons

where can you find white matter?

surrounding the grey matter

what are the columns?

structures that pass information up and down the spinal cord

what is ascending tracts?

axons carrying signals up the spinal cord

what are descending tracts?

axons carrying signals down the spinal cord

branches of the dorsal roots join with?

posterior horns

branches of the ventral roots joins with?

anterior horns

what is the dorsal roots function?

transmits sensory signals to the CNS

what is the ventral roots function?

transmits motor signals from the CNS

what are plexuses?

bundles of nerves innervating particular regions on the body

where are cervical plexus?

the neck and thoracic regions

where are brachial plexus?

the arms and shoulder girdle

where are lumbosacral plexus?

the lower limbs and the pelvis

what makes up the central nervous system?

the brain and spinal cord

what does the brain and spinal cord function as?

information processing and control center

where is the spinal cord found within the spinal canal?

vertebral column

the spinal cord extends from the upper border of the____ to the lower border of the first, or upper boarders of the second_____

atlas and lumbar vertebra

above the vertebral column what is the spinal cord continuous with?

brain

in the lumbar region the spinal cord ends in the conical extremity called?

conus medullaris

list the meninges from deep to superficial

pia mater, arachnoid mater, dura mater

the nervous system cells that transit signals are called?

neurons

the region of a neuron that contains the nucleus is called?

cell body

a neuronal process that receives information is called?

dendrites

the neuronal process that generates and transmits electrical signals is called?

axons

two basic cells types of the spinal cord?

spinal and cranial nerves

what region does the spinal cord end in?

lumbar

what structure does the spinal cord end in?

conus medullaris

what are the fibers form the lower end of the spinal cord form that extends to the coccyx?

filum terminale

what are the five regional grouping of the vertebrae?

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal

the spinal cord passes through channels in the vertebrae called?

vertebral foramen

spinal nerves which leaves the spinal cord and enter the periphery, pass through apertures in the vertebral column called?

intervertebral foramen

what the function of the spinal nerves?

transmit signals between the spinal cord and the body

what signals do dorsal roots transmit?

sensory

where motor signal travel down the spinal cord what actions do they trigger?

voluntary and involuntary

what is a ganglia?

collection of cell bodies of sensory neurons

what signals to ventral roots transmit?

motor

what are the left and right gray matter horns connected by?

gray commissure

what does the lateral horn consist of ?

autonomic motor neuron cell bodies

what does the autonomic motor neuron cell bodies supply?

visceral organs

where are autonomic motor neuron cell bodies found?

thoracic and superior lumbar regions