Human spinal cord - Structure and Functions

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. The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system (CNS). In humans, the spinal cord begins at the occipital bone, passing through the foramen magnum and entering the spinal canal at the beginning of the cervical vertebrae.

1. Spinal Cord
Basics of Biomedical

2. TODAY'S AGENDA
What is Spinal Cord?
Nature
Structure
Size
Location
Internal Anatomy
Functions
Content
Synopsis

3. 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.
What is Spinal Cord?

4. What is Spinal Cord?

5. The spinal cord is located in the
vertebral foramen and is made up
of 31 segments: 8 cervical, 12
thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1
coccygeal.
LOCATION AND NATURE

6. A pair
of spinal nerves
leaves each
segment of
the spinal cord.
The length of
the spinal cord is
about 45 cm in
men and 43 cm in
women.

7. Cross
Sectional
view of
Spinal Cord

8. FUNCTIONS
To relay messages from the brain to
different parts of the body
To perform an action
To pass along messages from
sensory receptors to the brain, and
To coordinate reflexes that are
managed by the spinal cord alone.
Its major roles are

9. FUNCTIONS

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