We are a member of the Fund Raising Standards Board

We are all volunteers and the advice we receive is also given freely.

All donations are used to further the work we do.

Please Donate

 Join Us

Provide Support

Buy At

UK Charity

No 1131517

Copyright © Proventus 2010

Terms & Conditions

Help-Line 01233 334879

Proventus

Making Life Fairer

Working Together to Make a Difference

UK Charity No 1131517

Working together to make a difference

Find Us Here

Spinal Cord

The nerve fibres of the spinal cord link the brain with the arms, legs and torso, however the spinal cord is not only a passive conduit for nerve signals it is able to bypass the brain e.g. In reflex actions

The spinal cord is a bundle of axons (nerve fibres) about 35 to 45 cm long (15 to 18 inch’s) tapering to a thread like tail at the lower (lumberoscral) part of the spine it is slightly wider than a pencil.

The spinal cord is located and protected within the spinal canal, a long tunnel within the vertebrae (aligned column of backbones) which protects the spinal cord from knocks and blows, the circulating cerebrospinal fluid acts as a shock absorber and the layer of fat and connective tissue in the epidural space acts as a cushion.

Top of Page

MS                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Spinal cord lesions involved with multiple sclerosis tend to affect the lower extremities. No two people with multiple sclerosis have the exact same symptoms.

MS spinal lesions have a unique set of symptoms, which include:

• Upper spinal or neck lesions can cause numbness or weakness in the arms.
• Mid-spinal lesions can cause a numbing band around the mid-section often referred to as the "MS Hug."
• Lower spinal lesions can cause an array of issues including balance and walking difficulties as well as loss of bowel and bladder functions [1]

Spinal cord induced pain can be excruciating. It often shoots down the spine (Lhermitte's Sign) or to the limb that is involved due to spinal cord damage.

Notes                                                                                                                                                                                                           

The pia mater - a vascular membrane, and derives its blood from the internal carotid and vertebral arteries nervous-systems.com

The arachnod - the serous (a lubricating fluid) membrane which envelopes the brain, and is then reflected on the inner surface of the dura mater           nervous-systems.com

The dura mater - a thick and dense inelastic fibrous membrane, which lines the interior of the skull at the base of the skull it is here continuous with the dura mater lining the spinal canal. Its inner surface is smooth and epithe-liated, being lined by the parietal layer of the arachnoid membrane.  nervous-systems.com

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) a clear liquid containing proteins and glucose which:

• Protects and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.
• Provides energy for the brain.
• Contains lymphocytes that guard against infection.

Circulation is assisted by the pulsations of the cerebral arteries.

Epidural space - the outermost part of the spinal canal. It is the space within the canal (formed by the surrounding vertebrae) lying outside the dura mater.

1.healthcentral.com

Top of Page

Nerve fibre tract

Axons that carry signals

to and from spinal cord

and areas of the brain

Spinal Nerve

Sensory and motor nerve rootlets merge to form spinal nerve

White matter tracts made up of sensory and motor neurons.

Grey matter

central region made up of nerve cell bodies

Central canal

Cerebrospinal fluid

fills the narrow central canal

Front

Meninges

The three layers that protect the spinal cord

Pia mater

Arachnoid

Dura mater

Anterior fissure

Deep groove along

Front of spinal cord

Motor nerve rootlets (ventral)

Bundles of fibres that

Emerge from the front (ventral side) of the spinal cord

Sensory nerve rootlets (dorsal)

Bundles of fibres that

enter the rear (dorsal side) of the spinal cord

Sensory root ganglion

Cluster of nerve cell bodies

on a spinal nerve

Subarachnoid space

Front

Spinal Reflexes

A rapid involuntary response to a stimulus - sensory nerve fibres carry information directly to the spinal cord and then connects directly to motor nerve fibres.

The motor nerve fibres carry information back to the relevant muscles causing movement

Stimulus

Direction of Kick

Sensory nerve fibre

Motor nerve fibre

Fibre end of sensory neuron

pass impulse to motor neuron

Cell body of motor neuron

Initiates impulse sending it back to the muscle

Thigh muscle

Patellar tendon

Spinal Nerves

Tapping the patellar tendon stretches the thigh muscle which sends a signal to the spinal cord. Returning motor signals cause the muscle to contract