204 Week 6 - Spinal Cord + Nerves

SPINAL CORD

• PROTECTED: by Vertebral Columns

• LOCATION: Vertebral Canal

• FUNCTION: Facilitates communication to/from Periphery + Brain

Spinal Cord External Anatomy

• Begins: Foramen Magnum AFTER Medulla Oblungata

• Finishes: L1-2 in healthy adult (After is the Cauda Equina)

• Cervical + Lumbosacral Enlargements

Spinal Cord Internal Anatomy

• Anterior Horns: Motor Cell Bodies

• Posterior Horns: Sensory Cell Bodies + Interneurons

• Lateral Horns: Autonomic Nuclei

Protective Structures of Spinal Cord

1st Layer: Bony

• Skull (Brain)

• Vertebral Columns (Spinal Cord)

2nd Layer: Connective

• 3 Meningeal Layers (Pia, Arachnoid, Dura - Mater)

3rd Layer: Fluid

• CSF

• Provides cushion

Spinal Cord Blood Supply

• 1 Anterior Spinal Artery (ASA) (2/3rds of Blood Supply)

• 2 Posterior Spinal Artery (PSA)

White & Grey Matter

Grey Matter:

• Motor commands

• Contain Cell Bodies (Organelles etc)

White Matter:

• Sensory Commands

• Outer

Spinal Nerves Order

Rootlets (M/S) → Roots (M/S) → Mixed Spinal Nerves (M+S) → Rami (Supplies Back/Neck, Trunk + Limbs)

Cauda Equina

• Dura Mater Ends: S2