Spinal cord
The spinal cord contains around 200 million neurons that run through your spine.[1] They carry information between your body and brain.
The "myelitis" in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis refers to spinal cord inflammation. "Myel" means 'relating to the spinal cord'. "Itis" means 'inflammation'. [2][3][4][5]
Meninges and Spinal Cord
Your spinal cord has three layers of protective membranes called meninges.[6]
- Dura mater: the tough outer layer.
- Subdural space: the space between the dura and arachnoid layers.
- Arachnoid mater: the middle layer. It's called 'arachnoid' due to its web-like appearance.[7]
- Subarachnoid space: the space between the arachnoid and pia layers. It contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to provide extra cushion for the nerves.
- Pia mater: the delicate, innermost layer that attaches to the spinal cord. a very delicate layer that attaches to the spinal cord and follows the contours of the cord or brain.
Spinal Cord Immune System
Your spinal cord also contains glial cells, which support your neurons' functioning. In humans, there are about 5-7 glial cells per nerve cell.[1]
The brain and spinal cord have their own immune system.[8] Microglia cells are a part of that immune system.[9]
Injury to the brain or spinal cord, such as those caused by stroke or trauma, result in a considerable weakening of the immune system.[10]
ME patient autopsies have shown changes to the spinal cord
- Sophia Mirza's autopsy showed her spine contained massive infection. (Note: Sophia's Death Notice has her death due to CFS)
- Lynn Gilderdale had ganglionitis which is an inflammation of dorsal root ganglia of her spine, typical for a neurological illness.
- Merryn Crofts's autopsy showed she had ganglionitis.
Learn more
- 2-Minute Neuroscience: Spinal Cord Cross-section
- 2-Minute Neuroscience: Exterior of the Spinal Cord
- Spinal nerve
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 BAHNEY, JAMI; VON BARTHELD, CHRISTOPHER S. (2018-4). "The Cellular Composition and Glia-Neuron Ratio in the Spinal Cord of a Human and a Non-Human Primate: Comparison with other Species and Brain Regions". Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007). 301 (4): 697–710. doi:10.1002/ar.23728. ISSN 1932-8486. PMC 5845477. PMID 29150977. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Hooper, Malcolm (February 2005). "Invest in ME Research - The Terminology of ME & CFS". Invest in ME Research. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "encephalomyelitis". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- ↑ "myel-". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Itis". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- ↑ Khan, Yusuf; Lui, Forshing (July 24, 2023). "Neuroanatomy, Spinal Cord". National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ Sanan, A.; van Loveren, H. R. (1999-07). "The arachnoid and the myth of Arachne". Neurosurgery. 45 (1): 152–155, discussion 155–157. doi:10.1097/00006123-199907000-00034. ISSN 0148-396X. PMID 10414578. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "Scientists create new map of brain's immune system". ScienceDaily. February 19, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- ↑ "Brain immune system is key to recovery from motor neuron degeneration: Results in study point to new approaches for ALS therapy". ScienceDaily. February 20, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- ↑ "An interconnection between the nervous and immune system: Neuroendocrine reflex triggers infections". ScienceDaily. September 29, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
