Central Nervous System (Spinal Cord)

Question 1

What are the main structures of the spinal cord?

Answer 1

• gray matter
• white matter
• anterior/ventral root
• posterior/dorsal root

Question 2

Describe the structure/function of the white matter of the spinal cord?

Answer 2

-consists of tracts of axons carrying info to and from the brain (signal transduction)

Question 3

Describe the structure/function of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

Answer 3

-consists of cell bodies of neurons that deal with signal processing

Question 4

The white matter of the spinal cord contains what 2 tracts?

Answer 4

• ascending tracts

- descending tracts

Question 5

What do the ascending tracts of the white matter of the spinal cord deal with?

Answer 5

-carry sensory info to the brain

Question 6

What do the descending tracts of the white matter of the spinal cord deal with?

Answer 6

-carry commands to motor neurons

Question 7

What is the function of the anterior/ventral root of the spinal cord?

Answer 7

-motor signals pass through axon of motor neurons

Question 8

What is the function of the posterior/dorsal root of the spinal cord?

Answer 8

-sensor signals pass through the tracts of sensory neurons

Question 9

Explain what a spinal reflex is?

Answer 9

-when sensory info entering the spinal cord is acted on without input from the brain