Human Spinal Cord and Spinal Cord Model
Cauda Equina
"horse's tail", a fan of nerve fibers below the spinal cord
Central Canal
The hollow center of an osteon, also known as a Haversian canal. The central canal contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves. Bone is laid down around the central canal in concentric rings called lamellae.
Filum Terminale
This structure is made up of pia mater. It anchors the brain and spinal cord to the coccyx
Lateral Column
White matter on either side between the anterior and posterior columns
Spinal Nerves
31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord
Ventral Horn
Anterior side horn shaped anterior columns of the gray matter of the spinal cord
Dorsal Root of Spinal Nerve
Posterior attachment of a spinal nerve to the spinal cord-all sensory neurons relaying information from the receptors to the spinal cord pass to the cord through the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves. The dorsal root of spinal nerves are sensory nerves
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Posterior side group of sensory neuron cell bodies found just posterior to the spinal cord, and part of the peripheral nervous system.
Dorsal Horn
Posterior side horn shaped projection of gray matter within the spinal cord where sensory neurons enter the spinal cord, posterior
Dorsal Column
Posterior side white matter tract on the dorsal side of the spinal cord, carrying touch and proprioceptive axons to the brain stem.
Spinal Cord
cord of nerve tissue that conducts messages between the brain and the peripheral nerves (Inside Dura Mater)
Ventral Column
Anterior side white matter column containing ascending/sensory tracts suchs as ventral spinothalamic and descending/motor tracts, such as anterior corticospinal, medial vestibulospinal, reticulospinal, tectospinal, and medial longitudinal fasciculus
Gray Commissure
Across center of gray matter; contains central canal; an open space continuous with the ventricles of the brain (arises from 4th ventricle)
Ventral Root of Spinal Nerve
Anterior attachment of a spinal nerve to the spinal cord. All motor nerurons emerging from the spinal cord to effectors exit the cord thru the ventral roots of spinal nerves. Ventral roots of spinal nerves are motor nerves
Anterior Median Fissure
Anterior side WIDE deep crease along the ventral surface of the spinal cord
Lateral Horn
Lateral projection of gray matter on the lateral portion of the internal spinal cord. These are only found in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. There is one on the left side and one on the right side
Posterior Median Sulcus
shallow longitudinal groove on the dorsal surface of the spinal cord
Dura mater
thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord
Conus Medullaris
where the spinal cord tapers to a conical tip, which is at or inferior to the level of the first lumbar vertebrae (L1)