Neuro Atlas

NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
Spinal Cord: Membranes and Nerve Roots
Posterior view
Ventral root of spinal nerve
Dorsal root of spinal nerve
Spinal sensory (dorsal root) ganglion
Ventral ramus of spinal nerve
Dorsal ramus of spinal nerve
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid space
Pia mater overlying spinal cord
Filaments of dorsal root
Membranes removed: anterior view
(greatly magnified)
Gray matter
White matter
Filaments of dorsal root
Dorsal root of spinal nerve
Filaments of ventral root
Spinal sensory (dorsal
root) ganglion
Dorsal ramus of
spinal nerve
Ventral ramus of
spinal nerve
Ventral root of spinal nerve
Spinal nerve
Gray and white rami
communicantes
©
FIGURE 2.13
SPINAL MEMBRANES AND NERVE ROOTS •
The spinal cord gives rise to 31 pairs of spinal nerves that distribute
segmentally to the body. Motor fibers of these spinal nerves innervate
skeletal muscle, and sensory fibers convey information back
to the central nervous system from the skin, skeletal muscles, and
joints.
The spinal cord is ensheathed in three meningeal coverings: the
outer, tough dura mater; the arachnoid mater; and the pia mater,
which intimately ensheaths the cord itself. CSF bathes the cord and
is found in the subarachnoid space.
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