Nervous System Overview Nervous system central nervous system login to view 3 more bullets peripheral nervous system login to view 2 more bullets autonomic nervous system login to view 9 more bullets Spinal Cord Overview Spinal cord extends from the brainstem to the inferior border of L1 conus medullaris login to view 1 more bullet filum terminale login to view 1 more bullet thecal sac login to view 1 more bullet cauda equina login to view 1 more bullet Embryology of the spinal cord Neural tube becomes the spinal cord formed from the primitive streak → turns into the primitive (midsagittal) groove → turns into the neural tube failure of neural tube closure leads to: login to view 2 more bullets Neural crest forms dorsal to the neural tube becomes: login to view 4 more bullets Notochord forms ventral to the neural tube becomes: login to view 4 more bullets Layers of the spinal cord Layers of the spinal cord include: dura mater (outermost) arachnoid pia mater (innermost) Spinal Cord Functional Tracts Ascending tracts (sensory) dorsal columns (posterior funiculi) login to view 1 more bullet lateral spinothalamic tract login to view 2 more bullets ventral spinothalamic tract login to view 1 more bullet Descending tracts (motor) lateral corticospinal tract login to view 2 more bullets ventral corticospinal tract login to view 1 more bullet Blood Supply Spinal cord blood supply provided by: anterior spinal artery login to view 1 more bullet posterior spinal arteries (right and left) login to view 1 more bullet Artery of Adamkiewicz login to view 4 more bullets Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Function a colorless fluid that occupies the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain, spinal cord, and ventricular system login to view 1 more bullet provides mechanical and immunological protection for the brain, spinal cord, and thecal sac Production location login to view 2 more bullets volume login to view 3 more bullets Nerve Root Anatomy Cervical spine nerve roots exit above the corresponding pedicle login to view 1 more bullet nerve roots travel horizontally to exit there is an extra C8 nerve root login to view 1 more bullet Thoracic spine nerve roots travel below the corresponding pedicle login to view 2 more bullets Lumbar spine nerve roots descend vertically before exiting nerve roots travel below the corresponding pedicle login to view 2 more bullets intrathecal anatomy login to view 2 more bullets