lesson 17 parts of spinal cord

ventral (anterior) horns

contains cell bodies of somatic motor neurons, connects to peripheral effectors

roots

proximal branches that form spinal nerve

ventral root

motor output out of spinal cord

ramus

beyond vertebrae, spinal nerve divides into distal branches

ventral ramus

in thoracic region, gives rise to intercostal nerves, in other regions forms nerve plexuses

ventral funiculus

crude touch, pressure, somatic motor

dorsal (posterior) horns

receives sensory fibers, contains sensory (somatic & visceral) nuclei, synapse with interneurons in horn

dorsal root

sensory input to spinal cord, ganglion contains neurosomas of sensory neurons carrying signals to spinal cord, 6-8 rootlets enter posterior horn of cord

dorsal ramus

innervates muscles + joints in region of the spine and skin of back

dorsal funiculus 

proprioception, fine touch, ventral pressure, vibrations

lateral horn

only in segments T2→L1, sympathetic nervous system, contains visceral motor nuclei

lateral funiculus

proprioception, somatic motor