Medulla spinalis

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Medulla Spinalis

Medulla Spinalis (pronunciation: meh-duh-luh spy-nuh-lis), also known as the Spinal Cord, is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the Medulla Oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It encloses the central canal of the spinal cord, which contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Etymology

The term "Medulla Spinalis" is derived from Latin, where "medulla" means 'marrow' and "spinalis" refers to 'something related to the spine'.

Structure

The Medulla Spinalis is composed of white and grey matter. The White Matter is located on the outside of the spinal cord and is responsible for carrying information between the brain and the rest of the body. The Grey Matter, on the other hand, is located on the inside and is responsible for processing this information.

Function

The primary function of the Medulla Spinalis is to transmit neural signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It also controls many reflexes through the Spinal Reflex Arc.

Related Terms

  • Medulla Oblongata: The continuation of the spinal cord within the skull, forming the lowest part of the brainstem.
  • White Matter: The paler tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve fibers with their myelin sheaths.
  • Grey Matter: The darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve cell bodies and branching dendrites.
  • Spinal Reflex Arc: The nerve pathway involved in a reflex action, including at its simplest a sensory nerve and a motor nerve with a synapse between.

External links

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