Branch of the spinal nerve connecting the ganglions of the sympathetic trunk to the spinal cord.
epidural space
Space filled with blood vessels and adipose tissue; separates the dura mater from the vertebra and has a protective function.
cerebrospinal fluid
Fluid contained between the arachnoid and the pia mater around the spinal cord and serving mainly as a shock absorber; it protects the entire central nervous system.
dura mater
Thick and resistant outer meninx fusing with the tissue covering the spinal nerves; it does not adhere directly to the bony vertebral wall.
spinous process
Posterior middle protuberance of the vertebra; the attachment point for the back muscles.
spinal cord
Part of the central nervous system located in the vertebral column; it receives and transmits nerve information and releases the reflexes.
Nerve formed by the union of the sensory and motor roots; it communicates nerve messages between the spinal cord and the various parts of the organism.
transverse process
Bony protuberance extending laterally from each side of the vertebra; the muscles are attached to it.
anterior root
Bundle of motor nerve fibers (axons) communicating information from the spinal cord to the periphery of the body, especially the muscles.
posterior root
Bundle of sensitive nerve fibers that carry the spinal ganglions and communicate information from the body’s periphery to the spinal cord.
