CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
SPINAL CORD – 3
The central canal, also called the ependymal canal, is a narrow tube located in the center of the spinal cord, within the gray matter. It is a remnant of the cavity of the neural tube that forms during embryonic development.
Superiorly, the central canal communicates with the ventricular system of the brain. Both the central canal and the brain ventricles contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The figure shows a cross section of the central canal. It is lined by ependymal cells, which form a simple epithelium composed of ciliated columnar or cuboidal cells. The arrows indicate the cilia on the apical surfaces of the ependymal cells.