Spinal cord facts for kids
| Spinal cord | |
|---|---|
 |
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| The spinal cord (in yellow) connects the brain to nerves throughout the body. | |
| Latin | medulla spinalis |
| Artery | spinal artery |
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that go to and from the brain. It is enclosed in and protected by the bony vertebral column. The main function of the spinal cord is transmission of neural inputs between the periphery and the brain.
Spinal cord segments
Humans have 31 left-right pairs of spinal nerves, each roughly corresponding to a segment of the vertebral column. The spinal nerve emerges from the spinal column through an opening between adjacent vertebrae. Outside the vertebral column, the nerve divides into branches.
The nerves for incoming sensory information are bundled separately from nerves for outgoing motor instructions for muscles. The system serves the autonomic nervous system as well as the motor activities which we control consciously.
Images for kids
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Vertebral column-coloured
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A model of segments of the human spine and spinal cord, nerve roots can be seen extending laterally from the (not visible) spinal cord.
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Spinal cord seen in a median section of a five-week-old embryo
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Cross-sections of the spinal cord at varying levels.
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Cervical vertebra
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A portion of the spinal cord, showing its right lateral surface. The dura is opened and arranged to show the nerve roots.
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The spinal cord with dura cut open, showing the exits of the spinal nerves.
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The spinal cord showing how the anterior and posterior roots join in the spinal nerves.
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The spinal cord showing how the anterior and posterior roots join in the spinal nerves.
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A longer view of the spinal cord.
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Projections of the spinal cord into the nerves (red motor, blue sensory).
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Projections of the spinal cord into the nerves (red motor, blue sensory).
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Cross-section of rabbit spinal cord.
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Cross-section of adult mouse spinal cord: astrocytes (red) and neurons (green)
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Cross section of adult rat spinal cord stained using Cajal method.
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Sagittal section of pig vertebrae showing a section of the spinal cord.
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Diagrams of the spinal cord.
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Cross-section through the spinal cord at the mid-thoracic level.
