Part 3/13:
Discs: Soft tissue cushions between vertebrae, allowing mobility and absorbing vertical loads. Think of them as "donuts" with central "cream" that can bulge or herniate.
Nerves: The spinal cord runs within the vertebral canal, branching into nerve roots that exit through spaces between vertebrae, transmitting sensory and motor signals.
Neural Pathways and Movement Control
Motor Neurons: Located primarily in the spinal cord’s ventral horn, they send signals out to muscles for voluntary and involuntary actions.
Sensory Inputs: From the skin, tendons, and muscles, conveying information about load, stretch, and position.
Protection & Mobility: Vertebrae and discs safeguard the spinal cord, enabling movement while maintaining structural integrity.