Spinal Cord Model Lecture Notes

Key Landmarks

• Dorsal Root Ganglion
• Anterior Median Fissure
  • These landmarks help determine the side of the spinal cord being viewed.

Major Structures

Roots and Nerve

• Dorsal Root Ganglion
  • Part of the dorsal root (larger structure)
• Ventral Root
  • Connects with dorsal root to form the spinal nerve

White and Gray Matter

• White Matter
  • Located on the outside
• Gray Matter
  • Located on the inside, divided into projections:
    • Posterior Gray Horns
    • Lateral Gray Horn
    • Anterior Gray Horn

Columns of White Matter

• Posterior White Columns
  • From posterior median sulcus to posterior gray horn tip
• Lateral White Column
  • Between posterior gray horn tip to anterior gray horn tip
• Anterior White Column
  • From anterior gray horn tip to anterior median fissure

Functional Unity of Gray Matter

• Composed of groups of cells (nuclei) with common functions

Nuclei

• Anterior Gray Horn
  • Contains Somatic Motor Nuclei
  • Associated with somatic motor signals and lower motor neurons
• Lateral Gray Horn
  • Contains Visceral Motor Nuclei
  • Related to preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic system
• Posterior Gray Horn
  • Somatic Sensory Nuclei (at the tip)
  • Visceral Sensory Nuclei (at the base)
  • Dedicated to sensory processing

Commissures

• Anterior White Commissure
  • Between anterior median fissure and gray matter
• Anterior Gray Commissure
  • Between anterior white commissure and central canal
• Posterior Gray Commissure
  • Behind central canal
• Posterior White Commissure
  • Between gray matter and posterior median sulcus

Summary

• Sensory Nuclei
  • Located at the back
• Motor Nuclei
  • Located at the front
• Arrangement: Somatic (front) and Visceral (back) parallel structure
• All elements are named based on anatomical position and color.