Spinal Cord

Samuel ChenNoriel Vargas

Descriptions

• The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and supports cells that extends from the brain.

• It is around 45 cm (18 in) in men and around 43 cm (17 in) long in women.

Functions

• Serve as a conduit for motor information, which travels down the spinal cord.

• Serve as a conduit for sensory information, which travels up the spinal cord.

• Serve as a center for coordinating certain reflexes.

Structures

• It is the main pathway for information connecting the brain and peripheral nervous system.

• The length of the spinal cord is much shorter than the length of the bony spinal column.

• The spinal cord is protected by three layers of tissue, called spinal meninges, that surround the canal.

Layers

Dura materArachnoid materPia mater

Dura mater

• Outermost layer• Forms a tough protective coating• Surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and is

responsible for keeping in the cerebrospinal fluid (acts as a "cushion" for the cortex, providing a basic mechanical and immunological protection to the brain inside the skull).

Arachnoid mater

• Middle protective layer• The tissue has a spiderweb-like appearance.• The space between the arachnoid mater and

the pia mater is called the subarachnoid space.

Pia mater

• Innermost protective layer• A thin fibrous tissue that is impermeable to

fluid>This allows the pia mater to enclose cerebrospinal fluid. -containing this fluid the pia mater works with the other layers to protect and cushion the brain.

• The pia mater allows blood vessels to pass through and nourish the brain.

Diseases

• Symptoms include pain, numbness, loss of sensation and muscle weakness.

• These symptoms can occur around the spinal cord, and also in other areas such as your arms and legs.

• Treatments vary but often include medicines and surgery.

Common Diseases

• Tumors• Infections: (meningitis and poliomyelitis)

Spinal Cord Tumor

• Is a noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) growth in or around the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord Tumor

• Its CAUSE is still unknown but most experts suspect dat it came from generations to generations or expose to the environment.

• Its EFFECT is that people may have weak muscles, lose sensation in particular areas of the body, or become unable to control bowel and bladder function.

• TREATMENTS may involve surgical removal, radiation therapy, or both.

Infections-Meningitis

• There are several types of meningitis. (most common) viral meningitis, which you get when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. (rare) bacterial meningitis , but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can block blood vessels in the brain and lead to stroke and brain damage.*Early treatment can help prevent serious problems,including death. Vaccines can prevent some of the bacterial infections that cause meningitis.*

Infections-Meningitis

Causes• Caused by infection of

viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and certain organisms.

• In the majority of cases the cause is a virus. However, some non-infectious causes of meningitis also exist.

Effects• A sudden fever• A severe headache• A stiff neck

Infections-PoliomyelitisAlso known as Polio or Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS)

Cause• The cause of this disease

is still unknown

Currently, there is no cure

Effects• Fever• Tiredness• Vomiting• Neck stiffness• Leg and arm pain.

for this disease.