Anatomy and Physiology of Children and Adolescents - M. R. Sapin 2007

Nervous System (General Outline of the Structure and Development of the Nervous System)
Central Nervous System
Spinal Cord - Functions of the Spinal Cord

The Spinal Cord performs reflex and conduction Functions. It houses the centers for all involuntary motor Reflexes (excluding the Muscles of the HEAD), as well as the centers of the autonomic sympathetic and partially parasympathetic (in the sacral region) Nervous system: vasomotor and sudomotor centers (in the lateral horns of the thoracic segments), centers regulating Heart and bronchial function (the upper five thoracic segments), urination, defecation, and reproductive organ activity (sacral segments).

In addition to its reflex function, which is carried out with the participation of Neurons in the Gray matter of the spinal cord, another crucial function is the conduction of nerve impulses. This conduction function is performed by the fibers of the White matter, which form ascending and descending pathways within the spinal cord. Ascending pathways transmit impulses from receptors that perceive information from the external environment and the body's internal milieu (pain, Temperature, tactile, proprioceptive, etc.). Descending pathways transmit impulses from Brain structures to motor nuclei, mediating responses to external and internal stimuli.

Review and Self-Assessment Questions:

1. Name the functions performed by The Nervous System in The Human Body. Describe these functions.

2. Discuss the Classification of the nervous system based on its topographical and anatomical-functional features.

3. What sulci and fissures are present On the surface of the spinal cord? Describe The Structure of the spinal cord and define a spinal segment.

4. Describe the structures and internal Organization OF THE spinal cord.

5. Name the nuclei (clusters of nerve Cell bodies) located in various Regions of the gray matter of the spinal cord.

6. What Neural Pathways run through the posterior, lateral, and anterior funiculi of the WHITE MATTER OF the spinal cord?



Last update: 10/08/2026

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