Spinal cord: structure and function

The spinal cord of a person in the body performs important functions. The spinal cord, the structure and functions of the organ have been hidden from the doctors for a long time, since nature protected it most from external influences. It is located in the spinal canal, somewhat flattened. The length of the spinal cord is up to forty-five centimeters, its thickness is about one centimeter. It has a furrow that divides the brain into two halves. Inside, the spinal cord contains a cavity in which there is a cerebrospinal fluid. In connection with the functions performed, it is covered with shells - outer, middle and inner. The outer shell, first of all, serves to protect the spinal cord from damage, and the other two contain nerves and blood vessels.

The spinal cord begins from the elongated part of the brain, and ends in the lumbar region. According to the number of vertebrae, it is divided into segments. There are thirty-one of them in the human body. Each segment has roots - two in front and two in the back. The anterior spine is connected to the posterior root, forming a mixed nerve. There are fibers in it.

The spinal cord, its structure, is interesting to study in the plane. If you consider it in a section, you can see a gray substance in the center of the canal, resembling a butterfly in shape. This is the accumulation of nerve cells. It is surrounded by a white matter, which is a pathway, and they connect the segments of the brain together. Conductive paths can be divided into two types - the ascending ones, which transmit to the brain the excitation signals, and the descending ones - those that conduct the response from the brain to the organs.

The spinal cord, whose structure and functions were not known before, has been studied and does not present difficulties. The functions of the spinal cord are divided into two large categories. The first class includes the reflex, and the second - the conductor one. The essence of the reflex function is that it accumulates the work of all the reflex arcs, thereby controlling both the vegetative and somatic functions of the organism. A certain segment of the spinal cord activates a patch of skin or muscle, as a striking example can be given motor reflexes. For example, when striking a knee, there is a reflex of sharp extension of the patella. In addition, the spinal cord controls such reflexes as sweating, dilating the pupils, and moving the diaphragm. Receiving information and transferring it with the spinal cord are simply stunning - the signal is transmitted at a speed of sixty to one hundred and twenty meters per second (in different types of fibers in different ways). This speed is necessary to ensure that the human response to stimuli is as fast as possible. Thus, the body protects itself. A sacral department is responsible for the genitourinary system - there is a center for regulation of defecation, urination, sexual function.

The essence of the conductor function is to conduct impulses to the brain, and then after processing the information - back to the parts of the human body.

The spinal cord, the structure and functions of the organ are very sensitive to external influences. Despite the fact that the spinal cord is reliably hidden from damage in the bones of the spine, it still experiences side effects. So, already from a small age the child needs to be taught to the correct landing, sufficient motor activity, physical education. The spinal cord injuries are very serious - they can permanently deprive a person of the ability to move and many other functions. Studying the spinal cord, structure and function, the doctors have only slightly advanced in matters of rehabilitation. As a rule, it passes very long and without complete restoration of functions. Therefore it is very important to protect your health and remember that the spinal cord, the structure and functions of this organ are unique. Our task is to protect it.