Anatomy of The Spinal Cord

ANATOMY OF THE
SPINAL CORD
LECTURE NOTE
BY
DR CO AYARA
12/22/2022 Dr CO AYARA
OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION/EMBRYOLOGY***
GROSS: EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY***
(Definition, location, shape, Extent, Functions, Attachments
-Segments of the Spinal cord: (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral & coccygeal)
-Roots of the spinal cord; Special considerations & Spinal Innervation.
INTERNAL MORPHOLOGY & ORGANIZATION: (CROSS-SECTIONAL ANATOMY)***
-Grey matter
- White matter
THE LONG ASCENDING & DESCENDING TRACTS (PATHWAYS)
IMPORTANCE OF THE SPINAL CORD
VASCULATURE OF THE SPINAL CORD & SPINAL NERVE ROOTS
CLINICAL /APPLIED ANATOMY (SPINAL CORD INJURIES & SYNDROMES)***
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/ OUTCOMES
At the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
1. Define the spinal cord in your own words.
2. Explain its relationship to the rest of the nervous system.
3. Describe the external features or morphology of the spinal cord.
4. Describe/ draw the internal features of a typical cross-section of the spinal
cord.
5. Enumerate functions of the spinal cord in relation to the rest of the body.
6. Name the spinal (segmental) nerves.
7. Describe/ draw a typical myotactic reflex arc.
8. Differentiate between the long Ascending & Descending tracts or impulse
pathways.
9. Identify and explain some basic clinical/ applied anatomy of the spinal cord.
A. Main divisions of CNS. B. Parts of the peripheral NS
(the cranial nerves have been omitted)
Source: Snell’s Clinical

Neuroanatomy.
Spinal cord anatomy
INTRODUCTION/ EMBRYOLOGY
The spinal cord is an important part of the Central Nervous System
(CNS) and a caudal continuation of the brain.
The spinal cord is derived from the caudal part of the neural tube.
It maintains segmental organization throughout development.
It is surrounded by three membranes, meninges: (Dura, Arachnoid &
Pia mater).
It weighs about 30 grams, making up 2% of the adult brain
weight.
FUNCTIONS OF THE SPINAL CORD
major conduction pathway between the body & the brain via
Ascending & Descending tracts
carries messages between the CNS and the rest of the body, and
It mediates numerous (simple) spinal reflexes such as the knee-jerk

reflex. (major reflex center )
Vertebral column & vertebral canal,
demonstrating five regions
GROSS: EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY
Definition/ Location
The spinal cord is a long cylindrical structure (neural tissue), rdcovered by meninges,
flattened anteroposteriorly & occupies most of the cranial 2/3 of the vertebral
canal. It is protected by the vertebrae & their associated ligaments & muscles, the
spinal meninges & the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Extent: from the medulla oblongata at the foramen magnum to terminate caudally
(distally) as the conus medullaris; in the adult at L1 level. (1st Lumbar vertebra)
In a 3 month-old fetus, it extends the whole length of the vertebral canal at level of
S2 vertebra, but because of greater growth in length of the vertebral column than
in the spinal cord, the conus medullaris lies at the level of L2 vertebra at birth &
at lower limit of L1 or upper limit of L2 at the age of 20.
GROSS: EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY…
Beyond the conus medullaris, a prolongation of pia mater extends as
a thin cord- Filum terminale. This is attached to the posterior aspect
of the 1st coccygeal segment.
In adults, the spinal cord measures 42-45 cm long (from foramen
magnum to level of L1/L2 vertebra).
GROSS: EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY…
ATTACHMENTS OF THE SPINAL CORD
The attachments suspend & anchor the spinal cord within the dural sac.
These arise from the vascular pia mater, which closely invests the spinal cord.
The attachments include the following:
1. Dentate ligaments:
are 2 flattened bands of pial tissue that attach to the spinal dura with about 21 teeth
2. Filum terminale:
is a pial filament extending from the conus medullaris to the end of the dural sac , with
which it fuses.
3. Spinal nerve roots:
provide the strongest anchorage & fixation of the spinal cord to the vertebral canal.
Segmental nerves (Spinal nerves)
SEGMENTAL NERVES: consist of 31 pairs of spinal nerves which
arise from each side of the spinal cord namely:
8 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
1 coccygeal
The spinal nerves contain both motor & sensory fibres.
Source: Clinically Oriented
Anatomy
Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy
Segmental nerves (Spinal nerves)…
FORMATION OF THE SPINAL NERVES:
The spinal nerves contain both motor & sensory fibres and are formed as follows:
The part of the spinal cord from which a pair of spinal nerves arises is called a spinal
segment (no trace of segmentation on the surface).
Each spinal nerve arises from a number of rootlets which fuse to form a Dorsal root, with a
Dorsal root ganglion that carries Sensory nerves & a Ventral root with Motor &
Autonomic nerves.
The Dorsal & Ventral roots unite at the Intervertebral foramen to form the spinal nerve.
This extends for only a small distance before dividing into Dorsal & Ventral rami of the
spinal nerve.
NOTE:
Spinal nerves C1 to C7 exit above the pedicle of the
corresponding vertebrae & ALL other spinal nerves exit below
the pedicles of the corresponding vertebrae.
Thus, the C8 nerve passes under the pedicle of C7 (there is no C8
vertebra) & L5 nerve passes under the pedicle of the L5 vertebra.
Having left the vertebral canal, spinal nerves divide into Dorsal &
Ventral rami, each of which carry motor & sensory nerves.
Because of the difference in the length between the spinal cord &
the vertebral canal, the spinal segment from which a spinal nerve
arises is separated from the correspondingly named vertebra & the
exit foramen.
Thus, cord segments in the lower cervical spine are 1 level above
the exit foramina, those in the lower thorax, 2 levels above & those
in the lumbar spine, 3 levels above their exit foramina.
Similarly, expansions in the diameter of the spinal cord due to the
Brachial plexus (C5-T1) and the Lumbosacral plexus (L2-S3)
cause expansion of the vertebral interpedicular distances at higher
levels- C4-T2, maximal at C6 for the brachial plexus and T9-L1/L2 (the
conus) for the lumbar plexus.
Nerve roots take an increasingly greater downward course from the
cord to Exit foramen in the cervical, thoracic & lumbar spinal cord.
The lumbar, sacral & coccygeal roots that exit below the conus at
L1/L2 are contained within the dura as far as its lower limit at S2 &
are called the Cauda Equina (horse tail).
CLINICAL NOTES
Because the spinal cord is shorter than the vertebral column, the
spinal cord segments do NOT correspond numerically with the
vertebrae that lie at the SAME level. The table below will help a
physician determine which spinal segment is related to a given
vertebral body.
Relationship of Spinal cord segments to
Vertebral numbers
VERTEBRAE SPINAL SEGMENT
CERVICAL VERTEBRAE ADD 1

UPPER THORACIC VERTEBRAE (T1-T6) ADD 2
LOWER THORACIC VERTEBRAE (T7-T9) ADD 3
10TH THORACIC VERTEBRA L1-L2 CORD SEGMENTS
11TH THORACIC VERTEBRA
L3-L4 CORD SEGMENTS
12TH THORACIC VERTEBRA L5 CORD SEGMENT
1ST LUMBAR VERTEBRA
SACCRAL & COCCYGEAL CORD SEGMENTS
Source: Snell’s Clinical Neuroanatomy
SPINAL NERVE INNERVATION
One spinal nerve innervates the derivatives from one somite, which includes:
1. Dermatome:
consists of a cutaneous area innervated by the fibres of one spinal nerve.
Knowledge of the dermatomes is important to determine if abnormality affecting a
single nerve root seen on imaging, such as compression by a prolapsed
intervertebral disc, is likely to correspond to symptoms described by the patient.
2. Myotome:
consists of muscles innervated by the fibres of one spinal nerve.
3. Sclerotome:
consists of bones & ligaments innervated by the fibres of one spinal nerve.
CROSS SECTION OF THE SPINAL CORD:
INTERNAL MORPHOLOGY
The cross section of the spinal cord will show the following parts:
Anteriorly: a deep longitudinal anterior fissure;
Posteriorly: a narrow posterior septum;
On both sides: posterolateral sulcus= posterior(sensory nerve roots
are arranged serially here. These posterior roots each has a ganglion
which makes the 1st cell-station of the sensory nerves.
The Anterior (Motor) nerve roots emerge serially along the antero-
lateral aspect of the spinal cord on either side.
Transverse sections at diff levels
Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Dr CO AYARA

Keith Moore
Cross section of sp. cord
Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith

Moore
CROSS SECTION OF THE SPINAL
CORD…
In the cross-section (transverse section) of the spinal cord the
following parts can be seen:
-the Central canal around which is,
-the central, H-shaped Grey matter, surrounded in turn by,
-the peripheral white matter; which consists of bundles of
myelinated fibres which make up, the Long Ascending &
Descending fibre pathways called tracts.
CROSS SECTION OF THE SPINAL
CORD…
-within the Posterior horns of the Grey matter, capped by the
substantia gelatinosa, terminate many of the sensory fibres entering
from the posterior nerve roots.
-in the large Anterior horns lie the Motor cells which give rise to
the fibres of the anterior roots.
In the Thoracic & Upper Lumbar cord (T1-T12 & L1-L2) are
found the lateral horns on each side, which contains the cells of
origin of the Sympathetic system.
THE WHITE MATTER OR COLUMN OR
FUNICULI OF THE SPINAL CORD
THE WHITE MATTER (COLUMN OR FUNICULUS)
The white matter is a collection of myelinated nerve fibres that travel
to and from the brain.
The white matter is subdivided by anatomical landmarks into:
Anterior (ventral) funiculus which is bounded medially by the
anterior median sulcus/fissure & laterally by the ventrolateral sulcus.
Posterior (dorsal) funiculus is located lateral to the posterior
(dorsal) median sulcus and medial to the dorsolateral sulcus.
Lateral funiculus is bounded anteriorly & posteriorly by the
ventrolateral & dorsolateral sulci.
THE WHITE MATTER OR COLUMN OR
FUNICULI OF THE SPINAL CORD…
THE WHITE MATTER (COLUMN OR FUNICULUS)…
The white matter of the spinal cord contains a mixture of Ascending
(Sensory or Afferent) and Descending (Motor or Efferent) tracts or
pathways.
These tracts are bilaterally paired structures; however, some of them may
cross the midline (decussate) at different levels to relay information to the
side of the body, or from the side of the brain on the side opposite to the
point of origin.
An example is the Corticospinal tract where fibres originating from the

LEFT cerebral cortex cross at the level of the pyramids in the caudal
medulla oblongata to supply muscles on the RIGHT side of the body.
ASCENDING TRACTS (SENSORY or
AFFERENT)
Basically, it was thought that humans can detect only five (5) senses
viz: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch.
However, the touch sensation can further be expanded to include:
-pain
-thermal changes (temperature)
-light (crude) touch
-vibration sense
-two (2)- point discrimination and
-proprioception (position sense).
AFFERENT)…
These tactile modalities are transmitted through the Ascending tracts
of the spinal cord. There are eight (8) known Ascending tracts
conveying a variety of sensory stimuli that are discussed below.
However, the senses of sight, sound, smell and taste are special
afferent stimuli that are conveyed through their respective cranial
nerves (special senses).
AFFERENT)…
THE 8 KNOWN ASCENDING TRACTS CONVEYING A VARIETY OF
SENSORY STIMULI:
1. Lateral Spinothalamic tract: cutaneous sensory receptors. Transmit
painful & temperature stimuli.
2. Anterior (Ventral) Spinothalamic tract: cutaneous mechanoreceptors

that are sensitive to; crude (non-discriminative) touch & pressure changes.
3. Posterior (Dorsal) column: Medial Lemniscus pathway &

Cuneocerebellar tracts; numerous cutaneous receptors detect & transmit
sensory modalities such as; light (discriminative) touch, vibration sense,
proprioception (brain’s ability to discern actual spatial location of each part of
the body with the eyes closed); two (2)- point discrimination.
AFFERENT)…
4. Anterior (Ventral) Spinocerebellar tract: mechanoreceptors
carry sensory information from the upper & lower limbs & trunk to
the dorsal root ganglion of the 8th Cervical through to the 3rd Lumbar
(C8-L3) segments.
5. Posterior (Dorsal) Spinocerebellar tract: carries unconscious
proprioception to the cerebellum from the lower limbs & trunk.
6. Spino-olivary tract is an accessory pathway that carries

additional information to the cerebellum.
SUMMARY OF THE ASCENDING TRACTS (SENSORY
OR AFFERENT FIBRES) OF THE SPINAL CORD
ASCENDING TRACTS
SN TRACTS FUNCTIONS CARRIED REMARK
1. LATERAL SPINOTHALAMIC PAIN & THERMAL STIMULI
TRACT
2. ANTERIOR (VENTRAL) PRESSURE & CRUDE
SPINOTHALAMIC TRACT TOUCH SENSATION
3. DORSAL COLUMN VIBRATION SENSATION,
PROPRIOCEPTION & 2-
POINT DISCRIMINATION
4. CONDUCT UNCONSCIOUS
SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACTS
STIMULI FOR
(ANTERIOR & POSTERIOR
PROPRIOCEPTION IN
DIVISIONS)
JOINTS & MUSCLES
5. CUNEOCEREBELLAR TRACT SAME AS
SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACTS
6. SERVES AS ACCESSORY
PATHWAY FOR TACTILE,
12/22/2022 SPINOTECTAL TRACT Dr CO PAINFUL & THERMAL
AYARA
STIMULI TO REACH THE
Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by
Keith Moore
Ascending tracts carrying
sensory information from
peripheral receptors to the
cerebral cortex
A. DORSAL-COLUMN PATHWAY MEDIATING: -
TOUCH,
- VIBRATION SENSE,
-PROPIOCEPTION.
B. VENTROLATERAL SPINOTHALAMIC TRACT
MEDIATING: Moore
- PAIN AND
-TEMPERATURE
THE LONG ASCENDING TRACTS…
THE ASCENDING TRACTS: include the following:
1. the Posterior & Anterior Spinocerebellar tracts.
2. the Lateral & Anterior Spinothalamic tracts.
3. the Posterior Columns comprise a medial & lateral tracts , termed
respectively:
-the Fasciculus Gracilis (of Goll) &
-the Fasciculus Cuneatus (of Burdch).
ASCENDING TRACTS…
1. THE POSTERIOR & ANTERIOR SPINOCEREBELLAR
TRACTS
-ascends on the same side of the cord & enter the cerebellum
through the inferior & superior cerebellar peduncles respectively.
2. THE LATERAL & ANTERIOR SPINOTHALAMIC TRACTS

- Pain & Temperature fibres enter the posterior roots, ascend a few
segments, RELAY in the substantia gelatinosa, the cross to the
opposite side to ascend in the these tracts to the Thalamus, where
they are relayed to the Sensory cortex.
3. THE POSTERIOR COLUMNS:
Comprise a medial & lateral tract, termed respectively:
-the FASCICULUS GRACILIS (of GOLL) &
-the FASCICULUS CUNEATUS (of BURDACH).
They convey 1st order sensory fibres subserving fine touch & proprioception
(position sense), mostly uncrossed, to the gracile & cuneate nuclei in the
medulla where, after synapse, the 2nd order fibres cross (decussate), pass to
the thalamus & after further synapse, 3rd order fibres are relayed to the
sensory cortex. Some fibres pass from medulla to the cerebellum along the
inferior cerebellar peduncle.
THE DESCENDING TRACTS (MOTOR
EFFERENT)
INTRODUCTION
The musculoskeletal system (MSK) principally carries out the function of
locomotion by way of muscular contraction against a relatively fixed skeletal
system.
However, the skeletal muscle fibres are dependent on action potentials

generated by the Spinal Motor Neurones of the Anterior Grey horn in
order to produce a movement.
Both conscious and unconscious regulation of these Lower Motor neurones

of the Anterior Grey horn is achieved by numerous Upper Motor neurones
pathways that originate at the levels of the cerebral cortex or cerebellum.
THE DESCENDING TRACTS (MOTOR &
EFFERENT)…
INTRODUCTION…
The action of the Upper Motor Neurones (UMN) provides
Stimulatory & Inhibitory modulation of the activity of the Anterior
horn cells and by extension, the activity of the motor system.
Unlike the Sensory pathways (Ascending tracts), where the 1st

order neurones are at the level of the spinal cord & the 3rd order
neurones are in the brain, the Motor system (Descending tracts)
has its 1st order neurones within the brain & 3rd order neurones at
the Anterior Grey horn (column.
THE LONG DESCENDING TRACTS
The DESCENDING TRACTS in the white matter are the following:
1. the Pyramidal (Lateral Cerebrospinal or Crossed motor ) tract.
2. the Direct Pyramidal (Anterior Cerebrospinal or Uncrossed

motor) tract.
THE LONG DESCENDING TRACTS
1. THE PYRAMIDAL (LATERAL CEREBROSPINAL or
CROSSED MOTOR TRACT
The motor pathway starts at the Pyramidal cells of the motor
cortex, crosses (decussates) in the medulla, then descends in the
pyramidal tract on the contralateral (opposite) side of the cord.
At each spinal segment, fibres enter the anterior horn & connect up
with the motor cells there; the tracts therefore becomes
progressively smaller as it descends.
THE LONG DESCENDING TRACTS…
2. THE DIRECT PYRAMIDAL (ANTERIOR
CEREBROSPINAL or UNCROSSED MOTOR) TRACT
Is a small motor tract descending without crossing at the medulla
(no medullary decussation).
At each segment, however, fibres pass from it to the Ventral horn
(anterior) motor cells of the opposite side.
Overview of the Pyramidal tracts (ventral)
view

Moore
SUMMARY OF THE DESCENDING TRACTS (MOTOR
OR EFFERENT FIBRES) OF THE SPINAL CORD
TRACTS FUNCTIONS CARRIED/

PROMOTED/FACILITATED
1. LATERAL & ANTERIOR (VENTRAL) DEAL WITH VOLUNTARY, DISCRETE,
CORTICOSPINAL TRACTS SKILLED MOTOR ACTIVITIES.
2. LATERAL & ANTERIOR (VENTRAL) PROVIDE EXCITATORY OR INHIBITORY
RETICULOSPINAL TRACTS REGULATION OF VOLUNTARY
MOVEMENTS & REFLEXES.
3. PROMOTES FLEXOR & INHIBITS
RUBROSPINAL TRACT
EXTENSOR MUSCLE ACTIVITY.
4. VESTIBULOSPINAL TRACT PROMOTES EXTENSOR & INHIBITS
FLEXOR MUSCLE ACTIVITY. IT ALSO
SUPPORTS BALANCE & POSTURE
5. FACILITATE POSTURAL MOVEMENTS
TECTOSPINAL TRACTS
ARISING FROM VISUAL STIMULI.
6. CORTICOBULBAR TRACT ALTHOUGH, THIS IS A DESCENDING
PATHWAY, IT TERMINATES ON THE
12/22/2022 Dr CO AYARA CRANIAL NERVE NUCLEI, WHICH ARE
LOCATED IN THE MIDBRAIN &
Corticospinal (Pyramidal) Tract
Is the most important output pathway from the motor cortex.
It is also called the Pyramidal tract.
VASCULATURE OF SPINAL CORD &
SPINAL NERVE ROOTS
ARTERIES OF SPINAL CORD AND NERVE ROOTS
The arteries supplying the spinal cord are branches of the:
1. vertebral
2. ascending cervical
3. deep cervical
4. intercostal
5. lumbar &
6. lateral sacral arteries.
ARTERIES OF SPINAL CORD AND NERVE ROOTS
Three (3) longitudinal arteries supply the spinal cord:

- An Anterior spinal artery &
- Paired Posterior spinal arteries.
These arteries run longitudinally from the medulla of the brain stem
to the conus medullaris of the spinal cord.
The anterior & posterior spinal arteries can supply only the short
superior part of the spinal cord, by themselves.
The circulation to much of the spinal cord is from the segmental
medullary & radicular arteries running along the spinal nerve roots.
ARTERIES OF SPINAL CORD AND NERVE ROOTS…
There is the great anterior segmental artery (of Adamkiewicz),

which is on the left side in about 65% of people, reinforces the
circulation to 2/3rd of the spinal cord, + the lumbosacral
enlargement.
Art. sup: a] ant; b] post surface. Stippled
areas=vulnerable segments

Moore
VEINS OF THE SPINAL CORD
In general, the veins of the spinal cord have a distribution similar to
that of the spinal arteries. They are usually:
-three (3) anterior &
-three (3 posterior spinal veins.
THE MYOTACTIC REFLEX
Is a monosynaptic & ipsilateral muscle stretch reflex.
Is incorrectly called a deep tendon reflex.
Has an Afferent & an Efferent limb, like all reflexes.
Interruption of either limb results in areflexia.
Afferent limb: includes a muscle spindle (receptor) & a dorsal root
ganglion neuron & its fibre.
Efferent limb: includes a ventral horn motor neuron that innervates
striated muscle (effector).
Cross section of sp. cord

Moore
APPLIED/ CLINICAL ANATOMY
1. congenital malformations e.g. spinal bifida.
2. spinal cord injuries due to automobile accidents – commonest
cause. (spinal cord shock, transection of the spinal cord
3. Lumbar puncture.
4. spinal anaesthesia
5. epidural anaesthesia (blocks)
6. myelography.
7. ischaemia of the spinal cord.
SPINAL CORD INJURY…
SPINAL CORD INJURY
1. Complete transection:
-loss of movement (muscle paralysis) & all sensation below the level
of the injured segment.
-the paralysis is at 1st flaccid, then becomes spastic after a few weeks
& bladder & rectal sphincter control is lost, although reflex emptying
will occur provided the sacral part of the cord is intact.
2. Hemisection (Brown-Sequard syndrome): there is
-paralysis & loss of touch & kinaesthetic sense below the level of the
lesion on the same side (lateral corticospinal tract & posterior
column interruption) &
-loss of pain & temperature sensation on the opposite side (because
of interruption of the crossed anterolateral tract).
Kinaesthetic sense= muscle, joint, position sense (proprioception)
3. Central cord syndrome, commonly due to crush injury (without
transection) following a sudden hyper-extension of the cervical
spine, there is:
-flaccid paralysis (lower motor neurone) &
-loss of pain & temperature sensation in the upper limbs (due to
anterior horn damage and interruption of the more deeply placed
cervical fibres of the anterolateral tracts).
The lower limbs may show spasticity if the lumbar fibres of the
lateral corticospinal tract are involved (sacral fibres are more
superficial).
4. Anterior spinal artery syndrome:
The posterior white columns (and therefore touch sensation) remain
intact, but most of the rest of the cord below the level of the lesion is
affected with loss of all motor & sensory functions, except perhaps
for the “sacral sparing”.
Biomechanic
s TL spine
CONCLUSION
The spinal cord is an important part of the CNS and an extension of
the brain. It is a long cylindrical organ located in and protected by the
vertebral column & its associated structures. It responsible for
carrying messages between the body and the brain.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Briefly describe the basic plan of the nervous system.
2. Describe the production and circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
3. Enumerate five (5) clinical importance of the CSF.
4. Describe the origin, course and distribution of the facial nerve (CN VII).
5. Enumerate possible causes of injury/ damage to the facial nerve in clinical practice.
6. Describe the areas of the cerebral cortex which sub-serve the following functions:
a. Vision.
b. Hearing.
c. Somatic sensory function.
d. Somatic motor function.
e. Eye movements.
7. Describe the chief ascending and descending pathways in the spinal cord.
8. List ten (10) clinical implications of a left hemi-section of the spinal cord at the level of T1.
(Brown-Sequard syndrome= Combined Motor and Sensory Lesions)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS…
1. Define the following terms: i) Dermatome, ii) Myotome, iii)
Sclerotome, iv) Nervous system, v) Neurone.
2. Describe the external morphology of the spinal cord under the
following sub-headings: definition, location, extent in-utero at 3
months, birth, and adult at 20, segmental nerves and functions.
3. With the aid of a flow chart, describe the basic plan of the
anatomy of the human nervous system.
4. The internal gross features of a cross section of the spinal cord at
C5 level, with the aid of a diagram.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS…
1. With the aid of a diagram describe the cross-sectional anatomy of
the spinal cord at the level of cervical vertebrates.
2. What are the clinical features of a complete transection of the
spinal cord at the level of the cervical vertebrate?
3. Enumerate the ascending tracts and the sensory sensations they
conduct through their pathways.
4. Write a short note on the olfactory pathway under the following
subheadings: introduction, components, and clinical correlates.
5. Briefly describe the clinical effect of a lesion of the olfactory
nerve.
REFERENCES
1. Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy 7th Ed by Keith Moore, Arthur
Dalley & Anne Agur.
2. Board Review Series on Neuroanatomy by James D. Fix.
3. Essentials of Human Neuroanatomy 3rd Ed by Prof P.S. Igbigbi.
4. Snell’s Clinical Neuroanatomy 7th Edition.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
SOME DEFINITIONS
Exteroceptor= is a sensory nerve ending in the skin or mucus
membrane that is responsive to stimuli from outside the body.
Receptor= is a cell or group of cells specialized to detect changes in
the environment & trigger bio-electrical impulses in the sensory
nervous system.
All sensory nerve endings act as receptors, whether they simply
detect touch as in the skin or chemical substances as in the nose &
tongue or sound or light as in the ear & eye.
OR
Receptor= can also be defined as a specialized area of a cell
membrane, consisting of a specially adapted protein that can bind
with a specific hormone (e.g. oestrogen receptors), neurotransmitter
(e.g. adrenergic receptors), drug or other chemical, thereby initiating
a change within the cell.

Anatomy of The Spinal Cord

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anatomy of The Spinal Cord

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ANATOMY OF THE

Source: Snell’s Clinical

It mediates numerous (simple) spinal reflexes such as the knee-jerk

CERVICAL VERTEBRAE ADD 1

Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Dr CO AYARA

Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith

An example is the Corticospinal tract where fibres originating from the

2. Anterior (Ventral) Spinothalamic tract: cutaneous mechanoreceptors

3. Posterior (Dorsal) column: Medial Lemniscus pathway &

6. Spino-olivary tract is an accessory pathway that carries

2. THE LATERAL & ANTERIOR SPINOTHALAMIC TRACTS

However, the skeletal muscle fibres are dependent on action potentials

Both conscious and unconscious regulation of these Lower Motor neurones

Unlike the Sensory pathways (Ascending tracts), where the 1st

1. the Pyramidal (Lateral Cerebrospinal or Crossed motor ) tract.

2. the Direct Pyramidal (Anterior Cerebrospinal or Uncrossed

Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith

TRACTS FUNCTIONS CARRIED/

Three (3) longitudinal arteries supply the spinal cord:

There is the great anterior segmental artery (of Adamkiewicz),

Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith

Source: Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith

Kinaesthetic sense= muscle, joint, position sense (proprioception)

You might also like