Conductive and reflex function of the spinal cord

The human spinal cord is a complex mechanism, which consists of many different "details". And each of them is important for our full life. It is thanks to the fact that we have a spine, we are moving. The reflex function of the spinal cord is one of the main functions that it performs. In addition to it, there is also a conductor. It is worthwhile to look at these functions in detail and find out what each of them is responsible for.

The formation of the spinal cord in the fetus occurs in the womb, and at a time when she does not yet suspect her pregnancy. By the end of the first month, the first foundation of the spine is laid. However, for a complete formation after the birth of the child will take some time. Some parts of the brain will finally form when the baby is 2 years old.

What the spinal cord looks like

As the spinal cord looks, not everyone knows. Moreover, not all people have an idea of what its role in the life of each person is. In this connection, it is worthwhile to fill this gap in knowledge. In addition, many mistakenly believe that the brain and spinal cord are separate parts.

To find out what the proper reflex function of the spinal cord is for, try to determine how it looks. It is impossible to understand unequivocally where the spinal cord begins and ends. It starts from the first vertebra just below the skull, smoothly connecting with the brain in this area. The division into the spinal cord and the brain is of a formal nature, but in reality the spinal cord smoothly passes into the brain. Thus, it can be concluded that these two parts are a single whole.

Location of the spinal cord and its membrane

The brain protects the skull, and the dorsal is hidden in the spine and surrounded by three membranes. The first of them is the most gentle, thin and soft. It contains blood vessels that deliver nutrients to the brain. In other words, the spinal cord is a kind of "courier" for the delivery of food.

Continuing to talk about how the reflex function of the spinal cord works, one can not go through the analysis of the structure of the second cobweb of the shell. There is a special space called a subarachnoid space. Through the entire length of the spine, it is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is her that is taken during the puncture on the analysis in order to determine the state of working capacity of the spinal cord.

The last shell is located outside and has a harder surface, which allows it to provide protective functions against various kinds of external damages.

Characteristics of the spinal cord

In adults, the spinal cord length reaches 45 cm at a thickness of 1.5 cm. Its weight by the most modest measures is not more than 35 grams. The entire brain is divided into several departments, from which the different roots go:

• cervical;
• Thoracic;
• lumbar;
• Cross;
• Coccygeal.

Since the reflex function of the spinal cord is performed, the cervical and lumbosacral region are the most important parts of the spine. In this regard, they are best protected - nature herself took care of this, making them much thicker and denser. It is in these places are important nerve endings, the defeat of which threatens with serious consequences. In the cervical region there is a cluster of roots, responsible for the movement of the hands. The roots of the lower part are responsible for the movement of the lower limbs.

The human spinal cord controls the activity of all internal organs. Each of them is associated with a particular department. In addition, the entire spinal canal is divided into segments and each of these departments has its own number. In the cervical region there are 8, in the thoracic - 8, in the thoracic - 12, in the lumbar and sacral 5, and in the coccygeal there are one or two.

What is inside?

To find out how the reflex and conduction function of the spinal cord is provided, let us look inside. The whole brain is heterogeneous in composition and color. In the center is a gray substance, which is surrounded on all sides by white. Each of them is responsible for certain functions, which will be discussed later.

Gray matter

The gray matter or substantia grisea is represented by several pillars connected to each other by two plates (front and bottom), called spikes. On the cut of one of these pillars, you can see that the gray matter in its form resembles a butterfly with straightened wings or the Latin letter H.

In addition, it can also be noted that the protuberances from the substance depart, which are otherwise called horns. They can be either front, located on the front wall, and the rear, along the back wall. Both the first and second paired, and have a narrow and wide form. But in addition to the rear and front, there are also side horns, in which the centers of the autonomic nervous system are enclosed.

What is the reflex function of the spinal cord? The fact is that in the anterior horns there is a special kind of motor neurons, the processes of which form the nerve roots.

In the middle of the gray matter is the central canal, which is also filled with liquor. In the upper part the canal is connected to the ventricles of the brain. In this case, all sections: the ventricles, the central canal and the subarachnoid space take an active part in circulating the cerebrospinal fluid.

White matter

White matter - substantia alba, envelops the gray, is formed by a set of nerve fibers, which also come in three types:

• Front;
• Back;
• Lateral ones.

In this case, all rootlets have different directions, and some of them are directly connected to the brain and central nervous system (hereinafter simply CNS). And if the reflex function of the spinal cord is to transmit signals of motor neurons of gray matter, then the task of neurons of white matter is the operative delivery of impulses of muscles and joints to the medulla oblongata. Thus, the transfer of all commands along the entire spinal cord is realized.

Here are the ways in which all the information regarding sensitivity and pain sensations is transmitted. Only before entering the cerebral cortex, information first reaches the midbrain, and only then rushes further to the destination.

The work of our brain

The fast and correct work of our body is answered by ascending and descending conductive paths. The last streams are formed with the help of the red-nuclear and lateral paths. It is through these ways that the reflex and conductive functions of the spinal cord are carried out. Due to the red-nuclear-spinal paths, involuntary motor impulses are produced. While the lateral cortico-spinal pathways correspond to arbitrary impulses.

All roots are supplied with personal veins and arteries, which as a result forms vascular-neural bundles. Each such beam is only responsible for its segment and operates in an autonomous mode, analyzing the incoming information and transmitting the necessary impulses.

The defeat of these bundles leads to serious pathological and sometimes irreversible changes in the human body. And so that specialists can determine which beam was damaged and localize pain, it is necessary to conduct a whole range of studies.

Reflex function

In our body everything is thought out to the last detail, and for each external stimulus our body reacts differently. It is on the reflexes that the defense mechanism is based. We sneeze, cough, get burns, shudder from a sharp sound or in our own way we react to gusts of wind. These are all examples of the reflex function of the spinal cord and similar actions occur outside our control.

So that we can respond in a timely manner to any stimulus, including critical situations, pain receptors are located on the entire surface of our skin. As a striking example: by touching a hot kettle or any surface, we almost instantly pull back the hand. The reaction rate is so fast that it is impossible to understand the time frame. For a fraction of a second, a reflex ring is formed, which forces the muscles to contract.

It is possible to give and other frequent case. It is worthwhile accidentally ingesting a portion of smoke or sucking in dusty suspensions, sneezing or coughing. Thus, it became clear that in such a short time the information was received, processed and our "defenders" were instructed to release the body from the presence of foreign bodies.

Conduct function

So, what expresses the reflex function of the spinal cord, it is now clear, you can go to another, also significant task - the conductor. It consists in the transmission of signals along the ascending paths to the main brain. From it, depending on the situation, the impulse along the descending paths is directed to some organ.

The explorer function allows us to perform meaningful actions:

• Take or throw;
• Stand up or sit down;
• Go slowly or run;
• To draw;
• cut off.

All these actions we do in everyday life: at home or at work and usually just do not notice.

All this connection of the brain, spinal cord, the entire central nervous system, internal organs and all limbs makes the human body unique in nature. Even the most modern robot can not boast of the number of movements that any bioorganism can perform.