Spinal cord functioning
The spinal cord remains as a connecting, functional nervous structure
in between the brain and sensory / effector organs. The sensory inputs
received by sense organs are conducted towards appropriate regions of the
brain. Similarly from the brain motor sensations are transmitted towards
effector structures. Further as the brain, the spinal cord can effect motor
initiation and bring about an effect. This activity is known as reflex action.
Reflex action
Reflex action is the spontaneously involuntary response caused due
to stimulation of receptor organ. E.g. The quick closure of eye lid when
some object touches the eyelashes.; the sudden withdrawl of hand when the
hand touches hot pan.
A reflex action is an involuntary process and does not involve the
intervention of consciousness. The anatomical basis of reflex action is the
reflex arc. It is a nerve chain between receptor organ and effector organ.
The reflex arc has the following route.
Sensory organ ® sensory or afferent neuron ® grey matter of the
spinal cord ® intermediary or relay neuron ® efferent or motor neuron ®
effector organ.
Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF)
The ventricle of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord
contain, a clear fluid similar to plasma called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
CSF is formed by a group of cells called the choroid plexus located inside
the four ventricles. In human the volume of CSF is 150 ml and the rate of its
secretion is 550 ml/day. (Spinal cord)
Functions (Spinal cord)
1. CSF cushions the brain against mechanical shock when the head moves.
2. It acts as a protective covering for the CNS and confers buoyancy to
brain.
3. The CSF also provides a reservoir of hormones and nutrition for the brain
and spinal cord.
4. It acts as a mechanical buffer. Remaining inside and outside the CNS, it
equalizes the mechanical pressure. If the intracranial pressure tends to rise
the CSF is pressured out. If the pressure tends to fall, more CSF is retained.
Related Topics in Zoology:
Bio Zoology All Important Topics
- Human Physiology Introduction
- Nutrition
- Carbohydrates Poly hydroxyaldehydes (or) ketones
- Proteins (Polypeptides)
- Lipids
- Vitamins – Functions Of Vitamins
- Deficiency of Vitamin
- Minerals – Water – Role of water
- Balanced diet
- Obesity
- Digestive System
- Dental Caries (Tooth decay)
- Root Canal Treatment
- Peptic ulcer
- Hernia and Types
- Appendicitis (Appendix)
- Gall Stones
- Hepatitis
- Fractures – Types of fractures
- Mechanism of fracture
- Dislocation of joints
- Arthiritis
- Rickets and Osteomalacia – Orthopedics
- Muscles
- Mechanism of muscle contraction
- Types of muscle contraction
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Respiration – Process of pulmonary respiration
- Mechanism of Breathing
- Regulation of Respiration
- Pneumonia Tuberculosis Symptoms Treatment
- Bronchitis – Acute bronchitis, Chronic Bronchitis Causes
- Circulatory System – Functioning of Human heart
- Cardiac Cycle
- Coronary blood vessel and its significance
- Myocardial infarction
- Angina pectoris
- Angiogram – Angioplasty
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart block Echo cardiography Heart Valves
- Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), ICCU – (Intensive Coronary Care Unit)
- Blood Pressure
- Heart transplantation
- Pulse rate
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Blood – Composition of plasma – Blood cells
- Clotting of Blood or Haemostasis
- Thrombosis
- Nervous system Co-ordination systems
- The Brain – Fore Brain, Midbrain, Hindbrain
- Memory
- Sleep – Types of sleep
- Stroke – Brain haemorrhage
- Alzheimer – Meningitis (Brain fever)
- Conditioned reflex
- Electroencephalography EEG
- Right and Left brain concept
- Spinal cord functioning
- Chemical co-ordination – Functions of Endocrine glands
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland – hormone
- Hormones of Neurohypophysis – vasopressin
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid Gland
- Pancreas
- Adrenal gland
- Gonads
- Receptor Organs – Eye
- Photochemistry of Retinal visual Pigments
- Errors of refraction
- Optometry – Retinopathy
- Cataract – Lens Replacement – Glaucoma – Nyctalopia
- Eye Infections and Eye Care
- Ear
- Mechanism of hearing
- Defects of the ear
- Hearing Aid – Noise pollution
- Skin and functions of skin
- Melanin functions
- Effects of solar radiation / UV radiation – Skin grafting
- Dermatitis
- Tongue – Mechanism of Stimulation
- Excretion Ureotelism Nephron
- Mechanism of urine formation
- Renal Failure, Dialysis, Kidney Machines
- Kidney stone – Kidney transplantation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Functioning of male reproductive system
- Functioning of female reproductive system
- Ovulation and fate of the ovum – Menstrual cycle
- Fertilization
- Birth control