I.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPINE

The Cylindrical Spinal Cord, which is approximately 17 inches (42 cm) long, is a glistening

white continuation of the brain stem, and about the thickness of a finger. The spinal cord provides

a two way conduction pathway to and from the brain, and it is a major reflex center (spinal

reflexes are completed at this level). Enclosed within the vertebral column, the spinal cord

extends from the foramen magnum of the skull to the

first or second lumbar vertebra, where it ends just

below the ribs.

Like the brain, the spinal cord is cushioned and

protected by meninges. Meningeal coverings do not

end at the second lumbar vertebra (L2) but instead

extend well beyond the end of the spinal cord in the

vertebral canal.

Because there is no possibility of damaging the

Google Images,
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y/2010/2010_Exam_Reviews/Exam_4
_Review/CH_12_Gross_Anatomy_of_ provides a nearly ideal spot for removing CSF for testing.
the_Spinal_Cord.htm Anatomy of the
Spinal Cord, Posterior View. In humans, 31 pairs of spinal nerves arise from

the cord and exit from the vertebral column to serve the body area close by. The spinal cord is

about the size of a thumb for most of its length, but it is obviously enlarged in the cervical and

lumbar regions where the nerves serving the upper and lower limbs arise and leave the cord.
Because the vertebral column grows faster than the spinal cord, the spinal cord does not reach

the end of the vertebral column, and the spinal nerves leaving its inferior end must travel through

the vertebral canal for some distance before exiting. This collection of spinal nerves at the inferior

end of the vertebral canal is called the cauda equina, because it looks so much like a horse’s tail.

Gray Matter of the Spinal Cord and Spinal Roots

The gray matter of the spinal cord looks like a butterfly or the letter H in cross section.

The two posterior projections are the dorsal or posterior, horns; the two anterior projections are

the ventral, or anterior, horns. The gray

matter surrounds the central canal of

the cord, which contains CSF.

Neurons with specific functions

can be located in the gray matter. The

dorsal horns contain interneurons. The

Google Images , Cross Section of the
cell bodies of the sensory neurons, whose fibers
Spinal Cord
http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Spinal
enter the cord by the dorsal root, are found in an -Cord-Cross-Section.html

enlarged area called the dorsal root ganglion. If

the dorsal root or its ganglion is damaged, sensation from the body area served will be lost. The

ventral horns of the gray matter contain cell bodies of motor neurons of the somatic (voluntary)
nervous system, which send their axons out the ventral root of the cord. The dorsal and ventral

roots fuse to form the spinal nerves.

White Matter of the Spinal Cord

White matter of the spinal cord is composed of myelinated fiber tracts- some running to

higher centers, some traveling from the brain to the cord, and some conducting impulses from

one side of the spinal cord to the other. Because of the irregular shape of the gray matter, the

white matter on each side of the cord is divided into three regions- the dorsal, lateral and ventral

Google Images, White Matter of the Spinal Cord

http://www.flspinalcord.us/transverse-section-of-spinal-cord/overview-essentials-spinal-cord-
images-anatomy-at-best-anatomy-learn-transverse-section-of-spinal-cord/
columns. Each of the columns contains a number of fiber tracts made up of axons with the same

destination and function. Tracts conducting sensory impulses to the brain are sensory or afferent

tracts. Those carrying impulses from the brain to skeletal muscles are motor or efferent, tracts.

Two tracts known as the fasciculus cuneatus and gracilis or the posterior columns conduct

sensations of deep touch, pressure, vibration, position and passive motion from the same side of

the body. Before reaching the cerebral cortex, these fibers cross the opposite side in the medulla.

The anterior and posterior spinocerebellar tracts conduct sensory impulses from muscle spindles,

providing necessary input for coordinated muscle contraction. They ascend uncrossed and

terminate in the cerebellum. The anterior and lateral spinothalamic tracts are responsible for

conduction of pain, temperature, proprioception, fine touch and vibratory sense from the upper

body to the brain. They cross to the opposite side of the cord and then ascend to the brain,

terminating in the thalamus (Klein & Stewart- Amidei, 2012)

 There are eight descending tracts. The anterior and lateral corticospinal tracts conduct

motor impulses to the anterior horn cells from the opposite side of the brain, cross in the

medulla, and control voluntary muscle activity. The three vestibulospinal tracts descend

uncrossed and are involved in some autonomic functions (sweating, pupil dilation, and

circulation) and involuntary muscle control. The corticobulbar tract conducts impulses

responsible for voluntary head and facial muscle movement and crosses at the level of the brain

stem. The rubrospinal and reticulospinal tracts conduct impulses involved with involuntary

Google Images https://www.pinterest.com/pin/312648399107901293/?lp=true

muscle movement. All tracts in the dorsal columns are ascending tracts that carry sensory

input to the brain. The lateral and ventral tracts contain both ascending and descending (motor)

tracts.
Vertebral Column

The bones of the vertebral

column surround and protect the

spinal cord and normally consist of 7

cervical, 12 thoracic, and 5 lumbar

vertebrae, as well as the sacrum (a

fused mass of 5 vertebrae) and

terminate in the coccyx. Nerve roots

exit from the vertebral column

through the intervertebral foramina

(openings). The vertebrae are

separated by disks, except for the first

Google Images, Vertebral Column
https://www.spineuniverse.com/anatomy/vertebr
and second cervical, the sacral, and the
al-column
coccygeal vertebrae. Each vertebrae has a

ventral solid body and a dorsal segment or arch, which is posterior to the body. The arch is

composed of two pedicles and two laminae supporting seven processes. The vertebral body,

arch, pedicles, and laminae all encase and protect the spinal cord.

Spinal Nerve Plexuses

The 31 pairs of human spinal nerves are formed by the combination of the ventral and

dorsal roots of the spinal cord. Although each of the cranial nerves issuing from the brain is

named specifically, the spinal nerves are named for the region of the cord from which they arise.
 Almost immediately after being formed, each spinal nerve divides into dorsal and ventral

rami, making each spinal nerve only about ½ inch long. The rami, like the spinal nerves, contain

both motor and sensory fibers. Thus, damage to a spinal nerve or either of its rami results both

in loss of sensation and flaccid paralysis of the area of the body served. The smaller dorsal rami

serve the skin and muscles of the posterior body trunk. The ventral rami of spinal nerves T1

through T12 form the intercostal nerves, which supply the muscles between the ribs and the skin

and muscles of the anterior and lateral trunk. The ventral rami of all other spinal nerve form the

complex networks of nerves called plexuses, which serve the motor and sensory needs of the

limbs.
 Google Images
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