Module 3 - Lecture 2

Flashcards covering the anatomy of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.

Functions of the CNS

• Sensory input

• Integration

• Motor output

Sensory input

• Information gathered by sensory
  receptors about internal and
  external changes

• Comes from skin and muscles
  (somatic) and from organs (viscera)

Motor Output

Activation of effector organs
(muscles and glands) produces a
response.

Integration

Processing and interpretation of
sensory input.

Protection of the brain

1. Meninges and Bone

2. Cerebral Spinal Fluid

3. The Blood-Brain Barrier

Meninges

Lies between the bone and tissues to stabilize neural tissue and protect from bruising.

Layers of Meninges

• Dura mater: Superficial layer

• Arachnoid membrane: Middle layer

• Pia mater: Deep layer

Dorsal root

Sensory input to spinal cord (afferent)

Ventral root

Motor output from spinal cord (efferent)

Dorsal root ganglia

Cell bodies of sensory neurons

Ganglia

Collections of cell bodies in the PNS.

Plexus

Branching network of nerves.

Dorsal Rami

Innervation of skin and back muscles (smaller).

Ventral Rami

Innervation of the rest of trunk and limbs (larger).

Spinal nerves

Formed by the fusion of dorsal and ventral roots

Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Functions in physical and chemical protection; carries important substances from the blood to nervous tissue cells

Epidural space

Fat and network of veins between vertebrae and dura mater

Dorsal horn

Sensory

Lateral horn (thoracic and lumbar)

Autonomic

Ventral horn

Motor