Chapter 13: The spinal cord

Functions of the Spinal Cord

• Conduction
– bundles of fibers passing information up & down spinal
cord
• Locomotion
– repetitive, coordinated actions of several muscle groups
– central pattern generators are pools of neurons
providing control of flexors and extensors (walking)
• Reflexes
– involuntary, stereotyped responses to stimuli
• remove hand from hot stove
Figure 13.1a
Figure 13.2a
 Cross-Sectional Anatomy: white matter

• White matter is divided into 3 columns or funiculi:

dorsal, lateral and ventral.
Cross sectional anatomy: Gray Matter

• The grey matter is divided into dorsal or posterior horns, ventral or anterior
horns, and lateral horns (only in T2 to L1)
• The Gray commissure connects the left and right sides; surrounds the central
canal
Cross sectional anatomy: other features

Posterior median sulcus and Anterior median fissure, Dorsal and

ventral roots of the spinal nerves, dorsal root ganglion.
• Ascending pathways
consist of 3 neurons
in series

• First order neuron

• Second order neuron
• Third order neuron
Dorsal column pathways: the gracile fasciculus & cuneate
fasciculus carry sensory signals from leg and arm,
respectively, to the somesthetic cortex.
 Figure 13.5a
Dorsal column pathways
The Anterolateral system contains the
Spinothalamic tract
Pain, heat, cold etc.
The spinothalamic tract Figure 13.5b
Dorsal and ventral spinocerebellar tracts carry proprioceptive signals
from limbs and trunk to the cerebellum
First order neurons end in dorsal horn of spinal cord
Second order neurons travel up spinocerebellar tracts to cerebellum
 Descending tracts:
• Typically involve 2 neurons

– Upper motor neuron

– Lower motor neuron

Corticospinal tracts carry motor commands for precise limb
movements.
Figure 13.6
Medial and lateral tectospinal tracts begin in the tectum of
midbrain

Involved in reflex movements of the head, esp. to visual

and auditory stimuli.
Medial and lateral reticulospinal tracts originate in the reticular
formation of the brainstem
Control muscles of upper and lower limbs, esp. with respect to posture
and balance.
Contain descending analgesic pathways
Vestibulospinal tract begins in vestibular nucleus where impulses from
inner ear (balance) are received.

Stiffens and straightens limbs; involved in posture

• For exam: ID only gracile and cuneate
fasciculus, anterolateral system, lateral
corticospinal tract

• Others know columns

Figure 13.8
Figure 13.10
Figure 13.13a
Nerve plexuses: formed by branching and
anastomosing of the ventral rami
• Cervical
• Brachial
• Lumbar
• Sacral
• Coccygeal
The cervical
plexus:

5 Roots (C1 to C5)

Major nerves:
Phrenic
The Brachial plexus:

5 Roots (C5 to T1)

Upper, middle, and lower

trunks

Each trunk forms anterior

and posterior divisions.

Major nerves:
Axillary
Radial
Musculocutaneous
Median
Ulnar
The Lumbar plexus:

5 Roots (L1 to L5)

Each root forms anterior
and posterior divisions.

Major nerves:
Femoral
The Sacral and
Coccygeal plexi
(together, form the
lumbosacral plexus:

8 Roots (L4 to Co1)

Anterior and posterior

divisions.

Major nerves:
Common fibular
Tibial

Together these form the

sciatic nerve. See last slide
Figure 13.19
 Somatic Reflexes: properties
• Occur in response to sensory input
• Quick
• Involuntary
• Stereotyped
Muscle spindles
Figure 13.21
Figure 13.22
 Reading assignment:
• Clinical application insight 13.5: spinal cord
trauma