THE SPINAL

CORD
By Kainat Fatima(2046)
INTRODUCTION
Spinal Cord
1. The spinal cord, enclosed in the vertebral
column, extends from the foramen magnum of
the skull to the first or second lumbar vertebra,
just inferior to the ribs. • About 42 cm (17
inches) long and 1.8 cm (3/4 of an inch) thick
and the spinal cord provides a two-way
conduction pathway to and from the brain.
PROTECTION LAYERS
It is covered by three thin layers of protective
tissue called membranes.
Dura Matter
The tough outer layer is
called the There are
dura mater three .
layers

The middle layer is

The arachnoid, a web-like
structure filled with fluid that cushions the brain.

Pia Matter
The delicate inner
layer is the pia mater.
 PARTS OF THE SPINAL CORD

01 02
CERVICAL
03
THORACIC LUMBAR
The cervical section of the The thoracic section of the spine is The lumbar section is located
located at chest level, between the between the thoracic vertebrae
spine is made up of the top
cervical and lumbar vertebrae. The and the sacrum. The five lumbar
seven vertebrae in the vertebrae in this section are labeled vertebrae, labeled L1 to L5, are
spine, C1 to C7, and is T1 to T12 and serve as attachments the main weight-bearing section
connected to the base of the for the rib cage.e. of the spinal column.
skull
 04 05
SACRUM COCCYX

The sacrum is the section located at

The coccyx is at the very base
the base of the spine. It does not
of the spinal column and is
have discs separating the vertebrae,
made of four vertebrae that
because its five levels, S1 to S5, are
are fused together.
fused together. The pelvis is
connected to the spinal column at the
sacrum section.
 FUNCTIONS
• MOTOR FUNCTIONS - DIRECTS YOUR BODY’S
VOLUNTARY MUSCLE MOVEMENTS.
• Sensory Functions – monitors sensation of touch, pressure,
temperature and pain.
• Autonomic Functions – regulates digestion, urination, body
temperature, heart rate, and dilation/contraction of blood
vessels (blood pressure).
 SPINAL NERVES

Spinal nerves are mixed

nerves that interact directly
with the spinal cord to
modulate motor and sensory
information from the body's
periphery.
2. • Sensory nerves deliver information to
spinal cord from muscles and joints about
body position and also transmit sensations
such as touch, pressure, pain and
temperature.
3. Motor nerves Motor nerves pass
information received from brain through
spinal tracts to the skeletal muscles to
direct precise voluntary movements.
SPINAL NERVEVS
Spinal nerves are linked to specific muscles:
• Cervical spinal nerves supply the muscles of
neck, shoulders, arms and hands, and
diaphragm.
• Thoracic spinal nerves supply trunk muscles
and muscles involved with breathing.
• Lumbar and sacral spinal nerves supply hip,
leg and foot muscles,
• Sacral Spinal nerves are linked to specific
muscles: •
REFLEX ACTION
5 COMPONENTS OF A REFLEX ARC ;
– RECEPTOR
– SENSORY NEURON
– INTEGRATION CENTER (CNS)
– MOTOR NEURON
– EFFECTOR
CLASSIFICATION
4 CLASSIFICATIONS OF REFLEXES
1. BY EARLY DEVELOPMENT
– INNATE OR ACQUIRED
2. BY TYPE OF MOTOR RESPONSE
– SOMATIC OR VISCERAL
3. BY COMPLEXITY OF NEURAL CIRCUIT
– MONOSYNAPTIC OR POLYSYNAPTIC
4. BY SITE OF INFORMATION PROCESSING
– SPINAL OR CRANIAL
 SPINAL REFLEX
RANGE IN INCREASING ORDER OF
COMPLEXITY:
– MONOSYNAPTIC REFLEXES
– POLYSYNAPTIC REFLEXES
– INTERSEGMENTAL REFLEX ARCS
• PRODUCE HIGHLY VARIABLE MOTOR
RESPONSE
MONOSYNAPTIC
REFLEXES
HAVE LEAST DELAY BETWEEN SENSORY
INPUT AND MOTOR OUTPUT:
E.G., STRETCH REFLEX (SUCH AS PATELLAR
REFLEX)
COMPLETED IN 20– 40 MSEC
POSTURAL
REFLEXES
– STRETCH REFLEXES
– MAINTAIN NORMAL UPRIGHT
POSTURE • STRETCHED MUSCLE
RESPONDS BY CONTRACTING:
– AUTOMATICALLY MAINTAIN
BALANCE
TENDON REFLEX
PREVENTS SKELETAL MUSCLES FROM:
– DEVELOPING TOO MUCH TENSION
– TEARING OR BREAKING TENDONS
SENSORY RECEPTORS UNLIKE MUSCLE
SPINDLES OR PROPRIOCEPTORS
 WITHDRAWAL
REFLEXES
MOVE BODY PART AWAY FROM STIMULUS
(PAIN OR PRESSURE):
– E.G., FLEXOR REFLEX:
• PULLS HAND AWAY FROM HOT STOVE
• STRENGTH AND EXTENT OF RESPONSE:
– DEPENDS ON INTENSITY AND LOCATION OF
STIMULUS
 RECIPROCAL
INHIBITION
• FOR FLEXOR REFLEX TO WORK:
– THE STRETCH REFLEX OF ANTAGONISTIC
(EXTENSOR) MUSCLE MUST BE INHIBITED
(RECIPROCAL INHIBITION) BY
INTERNEURONS IN SPINAL CORD
 CROSS EXTENSOR
REFLEXES
• OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY, COORDINATED WITH
FLEXOR REFLEX •
E.G., FLEXOR REFLEX CAUSES LEG TO PULL UP:
– CROSSED EXTENSOR REFLEX
STRAIGHTENS OTHER LEG
– TO RECEIVE BODY WEIGHT
– MAINTAINED BY REVERBERATING CIRCUITS
 SUPERFICIAL
REFLEXES
STROKING OF THE SKIN ELICITS
MUSCLE CONTRACTION – INVOLVES
FUNCTIONAL UPPER MOTOR
PATHWAYS AS WELL AS CORD LEVEL
REFLEX ARCS •
 ANY
QUESTION ?
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TO SEE THIS PRESENTATION