Nerves of the Back

Overview

The spinal cord is the central neural axis connecting the brain to the peripheral nervous system. This section introduces its structural organisation, segmental arrangement and role in sensory and motor transmission.

Key Structures

Content covers the internal structure of the spinal cord, including grey matter, white matter tracts and segmental organisation. The section also outlines major ascending and descending pathways relevant to back and limb function.

Clinical Relevance and Learning Focus

Understanding spinal cord anatomy is essential for lesion localisation, neurological examination and interpreting spinal imaging. This knowledge underpins assessment of trauma, compressive syndromes and systemic neurological conditions.

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The Spinal Cord

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Illustration of the first layer of plantar muscles in the foot, showing the flexor digitorum beneath the cut plantar aponeurosis.
Encyclopaedia

Abductor Digiti Minimi (Foot)

by Sanya Trikha

Illustration of the fourth layer of the plantar muscles, featuring the unipennate plantar interossei and bipennate dorsal interossei.
Encyclopaedia

Plantar Interossei (Foot)

by Sanya Trikha

Diagram illustrating the recurrent branch of the median nerve, highlighting its origin distal to the carpal tunnel and its innervation of the thenar muscles in the hand.
Encyclopaedia

Recurrent Branch of Median Nerve

by Kumail Jaffry