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spinal cord
part of central nervous system and is the continuation of the medulla oblongata (lowest part of the brain).
runs through the vertebral canal of the vertebral column.  Extends from the foramen magnum (skull) to the level of the L1 or L2 vertebrae.Â
functions of spinal cord
through spinal nerves that attached to it, the spinal cord is involved in sensory and motor innervation of the entire body inferior to the head.
provides a two way conduction pathway for signals between the body and the brain.
major center for reflexes.
conus medullaris
termination of the spinal cord (around L1 or L2)
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the subarachnoid space
inferior to the spinal cord, the lumbar and sacral spinal nerve roots float in the _ before exiting through their appropriate intervertebral foramen in the lumbar and sacral regions
cauda equina
nerve roots; resemble a horse’s tail
cervical and lumbar enlargements
in cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, where the nerves to the upper and lower limbs arise, the spinal cord shows obvious enlargements called the _
spinal tap/lumbar tap/puncture
area inferior to the spinal cord provides clinicians with an area of accessible CSF that can be withdrawn without damaging the spinal cord
white matter
outer region composed of myelinated and unmyelinated axons
allows communication between different parts of the spinal cord
allows communication between cord and the brain
gray matter
inner region consists of mixture of neuronal cell bodies
in cross section, the _ matter of the spinal cord is shaped like the letter H.
in _ matter is a narrow central cavity called the central canal
dorsal (posterior) horns
two posterior arms of the H that consist entirely of interneurons that receive information from sensory neurons
ventral (anterior) horns
two anterior arms of the H and contain cell bodies of motor neurons that send their axons out of the spinal cord
lateral horns
small lateral gray columns and contain cell bodies of motor neurons that send axons out of spinal cord (only located in the thoracic and superior segments of the spinal cord)
meninges
are three connective tissue membranes that lie just external to the brain and spinal cord
- functions are to cover and protect the CNS, enclose and protect blood vessels that supply the CNS and contain the cerebrospinal fluid.
dura mater - most external
arachnoid materÂ
pia mater - most internal
protection of spinal cord
neural tissue of the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae
protection also occurs by surrounding membranes called meninges and by a watery cushion of cerebrospinal fluid
spinal dura mater
outermost layer and is also called the "tough mother" because it is the strongest layer of the meninges; it is composed of dense fibrous connective tissue and forms a tough protective covering around the spinal cord
epidural space
Just external to the spinal dura
filled with fat and a network of veins; anesthetics are often injected here to numb the spinal cord and thereby relieve pain in body regions inferior to the injection site
spinal arachnoid materÂ
 lies just deep to the dura mater
subdural space
between the spinal arachnoid mater and then dura mater; is referred to a potential space because although normally thin, it has potential to fill with fluid or blood as a result of disease or trauma
subarachnoid space
deep to the arachnoid membrane and is spanned by weblike threads that hold the arachnoid mater to the underlying layer, the pia mater; filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
pia mater
the innermost layer and is also called the "soft mother" because it is the delicate layer; unlike the other meninges, it clings tightly to the surface of the spinal cord
denticulate ligaments
lateral extensions of pia mater that function to anchor the spinal cord laterally
film terminale
inferior extension of pia mater from the conus medullaris that anchors the spinal cord vertically
cerebrospinal fluid
a watery broth that fills the subarachnoid space and central hollow cavities in the brain and spinal cord that provides a liquid cushion that gives buoyancy to the CNS
brain
stimulates movement
maintains homeostasis Â
origin of conceptual thought
cerebrum
 the large brain
cerebellum
the little brain because it shows an organization similar to the cerebrum
gray matter is located on the outside of the cerebellar cortex with the white matter underlying
brain stem
Regulates visceral activity of the body and houses the reticular activating system (RAS) which is involved in maintaining consciousness and sleep cycle
is formed by midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
cerebral cortex
occupies most of the cranium
composed of two hemispheres separated by a longitudinal fissure
gray matter of cerebral cortex/cerebrum
 (mostly cell bodies and supporting tissue) near the surface of the cerebrum and is organized into gyri (folds) and sulci (grooves).
white matter of cerebral cortex/cerebrum
found underlying the cerebral cortex and appears white because of the myelination of the nerve fibers.
association fibers
transmit impulses between gyri in same hemisphere
commissural fibers
transmit impulses to gyri in the other hemisphere
corpus callosum
major group of commissural fibers between hemispheres; projection fibers transmit impulses from cerebrum to other brain and spinal cord regions
occipital lobes
primary visual area
Temporal lobesÂ
primary auditory area
Parietal lobesÂ
language and association
Postcentral gyri
(in parietal lobes) - general sensory area
Precentral gyri
(in frontal lobes) - general motor area
Frontal lobe
personality
cerebellar nuclei
embedded in cerebellum white matter
located behind the pons and medulla and below the occipital lobes of cerebrum
subconscious skeletal movements
required for coordination, balance, and posture maintenance
midbrain
extends from base of diencephalon to the pons
cerebral pedunclesÂ
contain motor fibers connecting the cerebral cortex to the pons and spinal cord as well as sensory fibers connecting the spinal cord to the thalamus.
colliculi
reflex centers for eye, head, and trunk movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli are located on the dorsal aspect of the midbrain.
pons
located above the medulla and in front of the cerebellum
means bridge and it serves to send relay to nerve fibers to the cerebellum, as well as CNS structures superior and inferior to the pons. It also contains part of respiratory center for control of breathing.
medulla oblongata
is continuous with the spinal cord
pyramids located on the ventral surface near the midline. They represent the decussation (crossing over) of the motor pathway that controls voluntary movement in the body
diencephalon
located in center of the brain, lateral to the midline third ventricle.
consists of several subdivisions; the thalamus and hypothalamus are most important.
thalamus
contains groups of nuclei above the midbrain that relay or interpret sensory impulses ascending from the spinal cord
hypothalamus
ies between the thalamus and pituitary gland, controls and integrates the autonomic nervous system (ANS), connects CNS with endocrine system, controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
limbic system
made up of nuclei and tracts that are located around the diencephalon and basal nuclei
word limbic means border
primary function is in emotions such as pain, pleasure, anger, rage, fear, sorrow, sexual feelings, docility, and affection.
also involved in memory formation.