Spinal Cord Section A Presented BY: Samuel Chen & Noriel Vargas

1. Spinal Cord
Samuel Chen
Noriel Vargas

2. Descriptions
• The spinal cord is a
long, thin, tubular
bundle of nervous
tissue and supports
cells that extends from
the brain.
• It is around 45 cm
(18 in) in men and
around 43 cm (17 in)
long in women.

3. Functions
• Serve as a conduit for motor
information, which travels down the spinal
cord.
• Serve as a conduit for sensory
information, which travels up the spinal cord.
• Serve as a center for coordinating certain
reflexes.

4. Structures
• It is the main pathway for information
connecting the brain and peripheral nervous
system.
• The length of the spinal cord is much shorter
than the length of the bony spinal column.
• The spinal cord is protected by three layers of
tissue, called spinal meninges, that surround
the canal.

5. Layers
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

6. Dura mater
• Outermost layer
• Forms a tough protective coating
• Surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and is
responsible for keeping in the cerebrospinal
fluid (acts as a "cushion" for the cortex,
providing a basic mechanical
and immunological protection to the brain
inside the skull).

7. Arachnoid mater
• Middle protective layer
• The tissue has a spiderweb-like appearance.
• The space between the arachnoid mater and
the pia mater is called the subarachnoid
space.

8. Pia mater
• Innermost protective layer
• A thin fibrous tissue that is impermeable to
fluid
>This allows the pia mater to enclose cerebrospinal
fluid. -containing this fluid the pia mater works
with the other layers to protect and cushion the
brain.
• The pia mater allows blood vessels to pass through
and nourish the brain.

9. Diseases
• Symptoms include pain, numbness, loss of
sensation and muscle weakness.
• These symptoms can occur around the spinal
cord, and also in other areas such as your
arms and legs.
• Treatments vary but often include medicines
and surgery.

10. Common Diseases
• Tumors
• Infections: (meningitis and poliomyelitis)

11. Spinal Cord Tumor
• Is a noncancerous
(benign) or cancerous
(malignant) growth in
or around the spinal
cord.

12. Spinal Cord Tumor
• Its CAUSE is still unknown but most experts suspect
dat it came from generations to generations or
expose to the environment.
• Its EFFECT is that people may have weak muscles,
lose sensation in particular areas of the body, or
become unable to control bowel and bladder
function.
• TREATMENTS may involve surgical removal, radiation
therapy, or both.

13. Infections-Meningitis
• There are several types of meningitis.
(most common) viral meningitis, which you get when a
virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and
travels to the brain.
(rare) bacterial meningitis , but can be deadly. It usually
starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can
block blood vessels in the brain and lead to stroke and
brain damage.
*Early treatment can help prevent serious problems,
including death. Vaccines can prevent some of the bacterial
infections that cause meningitis.*

14. Infections-Meningitis
Causes Effects
• Caused by infection of • A sudden fever
viruses, bacteria, fungi, • A severe headache
parasites, and certain • A stiff neck
organisms.
• In the majority of cases
the cause is a virus.
However, some non-
infectious causes of
meningitis also exist.

15. Infections-Poliomyelitis
Also known as Polio or Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS)
Cause Effects
• The cause of this disease • Fever
is still unknown • Tiredness
• Vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Leg and arm pain.
Currently, there is no cure for this disease.