SPINAL CORD – 1
The spinal cord is an elongated anatomical extension of the brain housed inside the vertebral canal.
A cross section of a spinal cord reveals that the distribution of its white and gray matters is opposite to that of the brain and cerebellum: the white matter is placed at its periphery and the gray matter ocupies a central position.
These sections are usually easy to diagnose, as the gray matter looks like a butterfly with its open wings.
The spinal cord is an important organ for the communication between the brain and the remainder of the body. Bundles of axons placed along its white matter transmit nerve impulses to and from the brain.
The gray matter contains many motor neurons and interneurons. Motor neurons control the function of body structures, such as skeletal muscle contraction. Interneurons provide communication between spinal cord neurons.
