Your Body's Master Messenger: What You Need to Know About the Spinal Cord

We often say things like 'the spine is immobile' and 'work with a straight spine'. But when we say 'spine', we often mean our spinal cord. But inside the spinal cord, which is made up of bones, there is something like a super highway that controls our entire body and carries messages from the brain. This is one of the most valuable and sensitive parts of our body. Today we are talking about that most valuable structure, the spinal cord .

What exactly is this spinal cord?

Simply put, the spinal cord is a long tube-like structure made up of a large number of nerves that runs from the lower part of our brain (brain stem) to the lower part of our spine. It is a major part of our body's Central Nervous System, just like the brain. Imagine that if our brain is the head office, the spinal cord is like the main data cable that carries information from that office to branches all over the country. It is covered and protected by bones called vertebrae.

Let's understand the structure of the spinal cord in a simple way.

The spinal cord is usually about 50 centimeters long, but this can vary slightly from person to person. It is also divided into four main parts.

• Cervical region: The part of the neck .
• Thoracic region: The back part of the chest.
• Lumbar region: The lower part of the back.
• Sacral region (Sac RA l): The last part of the spine.

Covers that protect the spinal cord

Think of it like a valuable electrical cord. It has several plastic sheaths on the outside to protect the wires inside. In the same way, there are three naturally occurring sheaths to protect this sensitive spinal cord. We call these the meninges.

1. Outer layer (Dura mater): This is the outermost, strongest, and toughest covering. Its main function is to protect the spinal cord from external injuries.

2. Arachnoid mater : This is named because it looks like a spider's web. This is a thin, transparent layer.

3. Inner layer (Pia mater): This is the innermost, most delicate covering that is attached to the spinal cord itself.

Between these layers of covering is a special fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) . This fluid keeps the spinal cord buoyant and protects it from sudden jolts and shocks. It acts like a shock absorber in a car.

What happens to our body through the spinal cord?

The main function of the spinal cord is to communicate messages between the brain and the rest of the body. This happens in three main ways.

1. Controlling Movements: You can read this article Holding your phone, walking, running, all of these commands come from the brain. Those commands go to the arms, legs, and other parts of the body through the spinal cord. The spinal cord also helps control things that we can't control, such as our heartbeat, breathing, bowel and bladder function .

2. Carrying sensations to the brain: How do you feel when you touch a cup of hot water, when you feel that it is hot, when you feel that it is hurt by a mosquito, when someone touches your hand? The spinal cord is the messenger that conveys all these sensations from different parts of the body, such as pain, heat, and pressure, to the brain.

3. Control of Reflexes: Imagine that your hand suddenly touches something hot. Before you even think about it, you pull your hand away in a matter of seconds. In such sudden reactions, the message does not go to the brain and wait for it to come back, but the spinal cord directly commands the muscles in your hand to act. This is what we call a reflex action . This is something that has arisen for our own protection.

Diseases that can affect the spinal cord

If the spinal cord is damaged by an accident or a medical condition, it can have very serious consequences. Sometimes, the ability to move and feel sensations can be completely lost. These are some of the conditions that can occur with the spinal cord.

• Spinal fractures: Spinal fractures, such as those caused by accidents or falls, can damage the spinal cord.
• Spinal deformities: Conditions such as scoliosis or kyphosis can cause the spine to change shape and compress the spinal cord.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: This is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints between the spine and the joints that connect to the pelvis.
• Spondylosis: A condition caused by the wear and tear of the vertebrae and the cartilage between them (discs) due to aging or other causes.
• Spinal stenosis: Due to a disorder or disease, the spinal canal narrows, causing compression of the spinal cord and nerves.
• Herniated discs: A herniated disc is a condition in which the jelly-like 'discs' between the vertebrae of the spine bulge out and press on a nerve in the spinal cord. This can cause back pain and conditions like sciatica.
• Degenerative disc disease: The discs between the vertebrae of the spine dry out and wear away as we age.
• Spinal tumors: Tumors can occur when cells in the spinal cord or surrounding tissues grow abnormally. These tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or benign (benign).

If you have any of these symptoms, never ignore them. It is important to see a qualified doctor immediately for advice.

Are the spinal cord and the spinal cord two different things?

Yes, this is a point where many people get confused. The spinal cord and the vertebral column are not the same thing, but two completely different structures. This table makes the difference clear.