The spinal cord is a long tube-like structure that arises from the medulla oblongata and runs through the vertebral column. It is divided into five regions and consists of grey matter surrounded by white matter. The spinal cord facilitates communication between the brain and peripheral nervous system through spinal nerves. Injuries to the spinal cord can cause paralysis and loss of sensation below the injury site, classified as either tetraplegia or paraplegia depending on the region affected. The spinal cord performs important functions like structural support, movement coordination, reflexes, and sensory information transmission to the brain.

1. B.Sc. (H) 3rd Year (Animal Behaviour)

2. INTRODUCTION
A part of the Central Nervous
System
A long pipe-like structure arising
from the medulla oblongata
Running through the vertebral
column of the backbone
consisting of nerve fibres joining
to form the spinal nerves

3. ANATOMY
 40cm long and 2cm wide
 The spinal cord is divided into
five different parts
i. Cervical cord  Neck
ii. Thoracic cord  Chest
iii. Lumbar cord  Lower back
iv. Sacral cord  Sacrum
v. Coccygeal  Tailbone

4. STRUCTURE
Cross-section displays grey matter
surrounded by white matter
Grey matter is filled with a fluid
called CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)
The white matter consists of a
collection of axons permitting
communication between different
layers of CNS

5. STRUCTURE
The posterior root is the part of the
nerve that branches off the back of
the spinal column
The anterior root is the part of the
nerve that branches off the front of
the spinal column
The posterior and anterior roots
come together to create a spinal
nerve

6. SPINAL CORD INJURIES
The spinal cord is a delicate part of the body. It is
therefore susceptible to injury
Vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, and damage while
playing sports are all potential causes of spinal cord
injury
One has a complete injury when he loses the ability to
move or sense below the injury
The incomplete injury allows the injured to perform
some sensory and motor functions

7. SPINAL CORD INJURIES
Paralysis from an injury can be of two types:
1) Tetraplegic 2) Paraplegic
Tetraplegia is a paralysis that results in total or partial
loss of use of all four limbs and torso
Paraplegia is similar to tetraplegic except it doesn’t
affect the arms.
These injuries result in the inability to voluntarily move
limbs, lose sensation, delayed reflexes etc

8. FUNCTIONS
Forms a connecting link between the brain and the PNS
Provides structural support and builds a body posture
Facilitates flexible movements
Communicates messages from the brain to different
parts of the body
Coordinates reflexes
Receives sensory information from receptors and
approaches towards the brain for processing

9. GROUP MEMBERS
HASSAN RAZA WASEEM AHMED
MUHAMMAD UZAIR MUHAMMAD NAJAM
MUHAMMAD FAHAD