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The spinal cord (40X)

Microimage
Histology image of the spinal cord. Image copyright: University of Oslo, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. (Tissue stain: H+E).

In cross-section, the peripheral region of the cord contains neuronal white matter tracts containing sensory and motor axons. Internal to this peripheral region is the grey matter, which contains the nerve cell bodies arranged in the three grey columns that give the region its butterfly-shape. This central region surrounds the central canal, which is an extension of the fourth ventricle and contains cerebrospinal fluid.

The spinal cord (and brain) are protected by three layers of tissue or membranes called meninges, that surround the canal. The dura mater is the outermost layer, and it forms a tough protective coating. 

Published August 10th 2022, updated March 2nd 2023.