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Spinal cord
From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
- 2-Minute Neuroscience: Spinal Cord Cross-section
- 2-Minute Neuroscience: Exterior of the Spinal Cord
- Spinal nerve
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Jump up to: 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.
