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Questions and Answers
Which part of the brain is connected to the spinal cord?
Where does the spinal cord begin and end in an adult?
What are the groups of nerve fibers going towards and coming from the brain called?
Where does the spinal cord end in a growing child?
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What is the primary function of the spinal cord?
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Study Notes
Brain and Spinal Cord Connection
- The spinal cord is connected to the brain's base, specifically the brainstem.
Spinal Cord Structure
- In an adult, the spinal cord begins at the foramen magnum (base of the brain) and ends at the level of the second lumbar vertebra (L2).
- The spinal cord is longer in children and grows shorter relatively to the vertebral column as they grow.
Nerve Fibers
- Groups of nerve fibers going towards the brain are called sensory or ascending tracts.
- Groups of nerve fibers coming from the brain are called motor or descending tracts.
Spinal Cord Development
- In a growing child, the spinal cord ends at a lower level, around the level of the third or fourth lumbar vertebra (L3-L4).
Spinal Cord Function
- The primary function of the spinal cord is to transmit messages between the brain and the rest of the body, integrating sensory information and facilitating motor responses.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the ascending and descending tracts of the spinal cord with this quiz. Learn about the connections between the brain and extracranial structures.
