ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => University of Melbourne => Topic started by: Turtle on March 13, 2013, 04:41:30 pm

Title: Anatomy ADSL question-please help
Post by: Turtle on March 13, 2013, 04:41:30 pm

Does anyone know the answer to ""Why does the cross-section appearance of the spinal cord change, from above downwards?".
-I can't quite work out why, I know the bones change shape as you move down the spine, but why would the inside of the spinal cord change?
thanks :)

Title: Re: Anatomy ADSL question-please help
Post by: Russ on March 13, 2013, 05:09:02 pm

From what levels?

The cord itself changes in anatomical layout gradually and culminates in the cauda equina iirc

Title: Re: Anatomy ADSL question-please help
Post by: simpak on March 14, 2013, 04:50:09 pm

The answer is to do with which nerve fibres will be most frequent along the cord, if I recall correctly.  Ie, when you're closer to the bottom there will be fewer fibres because some of them have already branched off earlier.

My actual answer says a decrease in the size of white matter funiculi down the spinal cord due to fewer efferent/afferent fibres.