What are the features of the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It encloses the central canal of the spinal cord, which contains cerebrospinal fluid.

What are the 3 main functions of the spinal cord?

What does the spinal cord do?
  • 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).

What is the structure and function of the spinal cord?

Spinal cord and nerves: The spinal cord is a column of nerves that travels through the spinal canal. The cord extends from the skull to the lower back. Thirty-one pairs of nerves branch out through vertebral openings (the neural foramen). These nerves carry messages between the brain and muscles.

What are the two functions of the spinal cord?

The spinal cord has two functions:
  • Transmission of nerve impulses. Neurons in the white matter of the spinal cord transmit sensory signals from peripheral regions to the brain and transmit motor signals from the brain to peripheral regions.
  • Spinal reflexes.

What is the importance of spinal cord?

The spinal cord and the brain together constitute the Central Nervous System. It is an incredibly complex and intricate mesh of nerves. Functioning as the body’s main relay station, the CNS is responsible for all the basic functions of the body, such as breathing, walking, talking, movement, and reflexes.

What are the four functions of the spine?

Functions of the Spine
  • Protect the spinal cord, nerve roots and several of the body’s internal organs.
  • Provide structural support and balance to maintain an upright posture.
  • Enable flexible motion.

What is the main function of spine?

It gives your body structure and support. It allows you to move about freely and to bend with flexibility. The spine is also designed to protect your spinal cord. The spinal cord is a column of nerves that connects your brain with the rest of your body, allowing you to control your movements.

What protects the spinal cord?

The brain and spinal cord are protected by bony structures — the skull and spinal column. Meninges are membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. There are three layers of meninges: Dura mater, which is closest to the bone.

What are the 5 parts of the spine?

The spine is composed of 33 bones, called vertebrae, divided into five sections: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine sections, and the sacrum and coccyx bones.

What are the components of the spine?

The normal anatomy of the spine is usually described by dividing up the spine into three major sections: the cervical, the thoracic, and the lumbar spine. (Below the lumbar spine is a bone called the sacrum, which is part of the pelvis). Each section is made up of individual bones, called vertebrae.

What causes spine pain?

In most cases, upper and middle back pain is caused by: Overuse, muscle strain, or injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support your spine. Poor posture. Myofascial pain that affects the connective tissue of a muscle or group of muscles.

What body parts are in your back?

The back supports the weight of the body, allowing for flexible movement while protecting vital organs and nerve structures.
  • Cervical intervertebral discs. Intervertebral disc of axis c2 vertebra.
  • Thoracic intervertebral discs.
  • Lumbar intervertebral discs.

What is the base of your spine called?

The bottom of the spine is called the sacrum. It is made up of several vertebral bodies usually fused together as one. The remaining small bones or ossicles below the sacrum are also fused together and called the tailbone or coccyx.

What is spine in human body?

The spine is our body’s central support structure. It keeps us upright and connects the different parts of our skeleton to each other: our head, chest, pelvis, shoulders, arms and legs. Although the spine is made up of a chain of bones, it is flexible due to elastic ligaments and spinal disks.

What is the difference between backbone and spinal cord?

Backbone or the spinal column is the central axis of the skeleton in all vertebrates.

Explore the Difference Between Spinal Cord and Backbone.

Difference Between Spinal Cord and Backbone
Spinal Cord Backbone
Made up of bundles of nerve fibers The backbone is made of bones called vertebrae
Function

What is a spine in anatomy?

Video Transcript. The spine is an interconnected complex of bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, any of which can become damaged and cause pain, neurological symptoms, or loss of mobility. The vertebrae are the bony building blocks of the spine.

What is the meaning of spinal cord?

A column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the center of the back. The spinal cord and membranes are surrounded by the vertebrae (back bones). The spinal cord and the brain make up the central nervous system (CNS). Spinal cord nerves carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

What is the medical term for spinal cord?

Spinal cord: The major column of nerve tissue that is connected to the brain and lies within the vertebral canal and from which the spinal nerves emerge. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves originate in the spinal cord: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal. Also known simply as the cord.

Where is your spinal cord?

The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord begins at the bottom of the brain stem (at the area called the medulla oblongata) and ends in the lower back, as it tapers to form a cone called the conus medullaris.