EXPLAIN THE DEFINITION OF SPINAL CORD

ANS- CNS- PNS (SENSORY AND MOTOR)

SPINAL CORD IS THE BRIDGE

IT CONTAINS SPINE OR BONES, VERTEBRA THAT PROTECTS THE NERVES AND ALSO THE OTHER
COMPONENTS LIKE BV.

IT ALSO PROTECTS THE OTHER ORGANS

THE SPINAL CORD CONTAINS 31 PAIR OF NERVES THAT HAVE THEIR OWN FUNCTION (THE PART OR
FUNCTION THAT THEY SEND OR RECEIVE INFORMATION).

5 SEGMENTS

CERVICAL- THORACIC – LUMBAR – SACRAL- COCCYX

The spinal cord ends at the level of vertebrae L1–L2, while the subarachnoid space —the
compartment that contains cerebrospinal fluid— extends down to the lower border of S2.
Lumbar punctures in adults are usually performed between L3–L5 (cauda equina level) in order
to avoid damage to the spinal cord. CONUS MEDULLARIS
End of the spinal cord is called conus medullaris
CAUDA EQUINA- HORSE TAIL (BUNDLE OF SPINAL NERVES FROM L2 UPTO
COCCYGEAL NERVE PAIR)
EACH NERVES HAS THEIR OWN VERTEBRA THAT PROTECTS THEM.
THE NERVES SITS BELOW THEIR RESPECTIVE VERTEBRA EXCEPT THE CERVICAL
SEGMENT.

LAYERS OF THE SPINAL CORD

Dura mater is a thick membrane made of dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds the
brain and spinal cord. It is the outermost of the three layers of membrane called the meninges
that protect the central nervous system. The other two meningeal layers are the
arachnoid mater and the pia mater.
The epidural space is the area between the dura mater (a membrane) and the vertebral
wall, containing fat and small blood vessels. The space is located just outside the dural sac
which surrounds the nerve roots and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
The arachnoid mater is one of the three meninges, the protective membranes that cover the
brain and spinal cord. The arachnoid mater is a derivative of the neural crest mesectoderm in
the embryo.
Pia mater (/ˈpaɪ. ə ˈmeɪtər/ or /ˈpiːə ˈmɑːtər/), often referred to as simply the pia, is the delicate
innermost layer of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Pia
mater is medieval Latin meaning "tender mother". The other two meningeal membranes are the
dura mater and the arachnoid mater.

AS YOU CAN OBSERVE, THE GREY MATTER IS GETTING BIGGER WHEN GOING LOWER
TO THE OTHER SEGMENTS. THERES A REASON WHY? ON OUR LOWER EXTREMITIES,
WE HAVE BIGGER MUSCLES. THE REASON WHY THE GREY MATTER IS BIGGER ON
THE LOWER SEGMENTS IS BECAUSE THERES ABUNDANCE OF MOTOR NEURONS ON
THAT SEGMENTS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO THE LOWER
EXTREMITIES.
WHILE FROM THE UPPER SEGMENTS WHITE MATTER IS BIGGER, WHY? WHITE
MATTER CONTAINS MOSTLY SENSORY NEURONS AND AXONS (WHERE IT TRANSMITS
THE ELECTRICAL SIGNALS TO THE BRAIN) SO THE UPPER SEGMENTS IS NEARER THE
BRAIN SO AXON SHOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT TO SUFFICIENTLY SUPPLY THE BRAIN
ENOUGH AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL SIGNALS.