The Spinal Cord

spinal nerve

• where axons and neurons leave the spinal column

• carry both efferent and efferent information

• are paired (one left, one right)

How far does the spinal cord typically reach?

around L1-L2 vertebrae, the rest is spinal column

Why does grey matter appear darker than white?

grey matter is packed with neuronal cell bodies, making it look darker than white matters neuron axons

efferent information always enters the spinal cord _______?

dorsally

how do afferent fibres connect to the spinal cord?

through the dorsal root

where do afferent cells cluster?

dorsal root ganglion

ganglion

collection of cell bodies outside the CNS

efferent information always leaves the spinal cord ______?

centrally, from the front of the spinal cord

how do efferent fibres connect to the spinal cord?

through the ventral root

what 3 sections make up spinal cord grey matter?

dorsal, lateral, and ventral horn

dorsal horn

cell bodies of inter neurons where afferent neurons terminate

lateral horn

cell bodies of autonomic efferent nerve fibres

ventral horn

cell bodies of somatic efferent neurons