Spinal cord

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brainstem that becomes the spinal cord after passing through the foramen magnum.

Conus Medullaris

The tapered, cone-shaped end of the spinal cord located around the L1 and L2 vertebrae.

Cauda Equina

A bundle of nerve roots resembling a horse's tail, extending from the spinal cord to the S4 vertebra.

Anterior Median Fissure

The deep groove located at the anterior part of the spinal cord.

Posterior Median Sulcus

The shallow groove located at the posterior part of the spinal cord.

Central Canal

A narrow channel in the center of the spinal cord through which cerebrospinal fluid flows.

Spinal Gray Matter

Butterfly-shaped core within the spinal cord, where the gray matter is located deep.

Anterior Horn

The front section of the spinal gray matter containing lower motor neuron cell bodies.

Posterior Horn

The section of the spinal gray matter that receives axons from the dorsal root ganglia.

Lateral Horn

Present only in the thoracic and lumbar regions; contains sympathetic division cell bodies.

Gray Commissure

The area in the midline that connects the left and right sides of spinal gray matter.

Cervical Enlargement

The thickened area of the spinal cord that supplies nerves to the upper limbs.

Lumbar Enlargement

The thickened area of the spinal cord that supplies nerves to the lumbar and pelvic regions.

Spinal White Matter

Surrounds the spinal gray matter and contains axons for ascending and descending signals.

Funiculi

Columns of white matter in the spinal cord, divided into anterior, posterior, and lateral.

Tracts

Groups of axons within the funiculi that carry similar types of information.

Anterior Spinal Nerve Roots

Roots formed by multiple rootlets that carry motor signals away from the spinal cord.

Posterior Spinal Nerve Roots

Roots formed by multiple rootlets that carry sensory signals towards the spinal cord.

Posterior Root Ganglion

A bulging area containing the cell bodies of sensory neurons before they enter the spinal cord.

Mixed Nerve

A spinal nerve that contains both motor and sensory axons.

Spinal Meninges

Three protective membranes (dura, arachnoid, pia mater) surrounding the spinal cord.

Epidural Space

The space between the dura mater and the vertebral column filled with connective and adipose tissue.

Filum Terminale

An extension of the pia mater that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry information from the body to the spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that transmit signals from the spinal cord to the body to initiate movement.

Dorsal Root Ganglia

Nervous tissue containing sensory neuron cell bodies, located outside the spinal cord.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight or flight response.

Denticulate Ligaments

Extensions of the pia mater that anchor the spinal cord and prevent lateral movement.

Pia Mater

The innermost layer of the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord.

Arachnoid Mater

The middle layer of the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord, between dura and pia mater.

Dura Mater

The outermost layer of the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord.