Spinal Cord and Brain Stem

Spinal Cord

• Helps in connecting the various organs of human body to the brain• Spinal cord is a long and narrow structure made up of nervous tissues and

support cells• It sends the signals from the motor area of the brain back to the various parts of

the body• Guides some of the most important human body systems, and any damage

caused to it can lead to certain complications in the body

See Also Nerve Roots• Cervical spine nerve roots. In the cervical spine (neck), the nerve root is

named for the lower segment that it runs between (e.g. C6 nerve root at C5-C6 segment).

• Lumbar spine nerve roots. In the lumbar spine (lower back), the nerve is named for the upper segment that it runs between (e.g. L4 nerve root at L4-L5 segment).

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Brain Stem

• Functions as our own privet "auto-pilot".• It is located at lower part of the brain, directly connected

to the spinal cord. The neurological functions located in the brainstem include:

• Breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and arousal

See also Medulla Oblongata and Midbrain (21)

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