SPINAL_CORD_AND_SPINAL_NERVES

Spinal Cord

The part of the central nervous system that is responsible for transmitting sensory and motor information between the brain and the rest of the body.

Spinal Nerves

Nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and are responsible for carrying messages between the spinal cord and the rest of the body.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and transmitting information.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord, including nerves that connect the central nervous system to the limbs and organs.

Gray Matter

Tissue in the nervous system composed mainly of cell bodies and dendrites, responsible for information processing.

White Matter

Tissue in the nervous system composed mainly of axons, responsible for transmitting information.

Spinal Reflexes

Rapid automatic nerve responses controlled by the spinal cord without involving the brain.

Filum Terminale

A fibrous tissue at the end of the spinal cord that anchors it in place.

Cauda Equina

Nerve roots extending below the spinal cord that resemble a horse's tail.

Meninges

Three membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord for protection and support.

Pia Mater

The delicate innermost meningeal layer consisting of a mesh of collagen and elastic fibers that closely adheres to the surface of the spinal cord.

Denticulate Ligaments

Lateral paired extensions of the pia mater that stabilize and prevent side-to-side movement of the spinal cord.

Subarachnoid Space

The space containing blood vessels along the surface of the spinal pia mater.

White Matter

Superficial part of the spinal cord containing myelinated and unmyelinated axons.

Gray Matter

Deep part of the spinal cord consisting of sensory and motor neuron cell bodies, forming an H-shaped area with projections called gray horns.

Ascending Tracts

Tracts carrying sensory information from the spinal cord to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Tracts carrying motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord.

Spinal Nerves

Mixed nerves associated with each spinal cord segment, carrying both motor and sensory information.

Dermatomes

Bilateral regions of skin monitored by specific pairs of spinal nerves.

Nerve Plexuses

Complex networks of nerve fibers formed from blended fibers of adjacent spinal nerves, controlling skeletal muscles of the neck and limbs.

Cervical Plexus

A nerve plexus formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves C1-C5, innervating muscles of the neck and diaphragm.

Brachial Plexus

A nerve plexus formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves C5-T1, innervating the pectoral girdle and upper limbs.

Lumbar Plexus

A nerve plexus formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves T12-L4, innervating the pelvic girdle and lower limbs.

Sacral Plexus

A nerve plexus formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves L4-S4, innervating the gluteal and sciatic nerves.

Sciatic Nerve

A nerve that innervates the semitendinosus and semimembranosus leg muscles, branching into other nerves. Its major branches are the Tibial and Common Peroneal nerves.

Tibial Nerve

Branch of the sciatic nerve that innervates flexors of the leg, plantar flexors of the foot and toes.

Common Peroneal Nerve

Branch of the sciatic nerve that controls extensors of toes and leg, innervating the short head of the biceps femoris and the peroneus muscles.

Lumbar and Sacral Plexuses

Networks of nerves in the lower back and pelvis region.

Sensory Innervation

The distribution of sensory nerves in the ankle and foot, crucial for detecting nerve damage.

Neuronal Pools

Functional groups of interconnected neurons with specific input and output destinations, influencing brain and spinal cord functions.

Neural Reflexes

Rapid, automatic responses to stimuli, consisting of sensory receptors, neurons, CNS processing, motor neurons, and effectors.