NEET UG » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Difference Between Backbone and Spinal Cord

Difference Between Backbone and Spinal Cord

The backbone is made up of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord, while the spinal cord connects the brain to the body parts for the exchange of motor and sensory information.

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs inside the cavity, bone tunnel of the vertebral column, which forms the bones of the back. The backbone is made up of vertebrae. The vertebral column is a bony structure with segments that supports the head/torso and thorax. They are the spinal cord travels through the vertebral column. Despite the fact that they run concurrently, they are completely separate and have distinct structures. The backbone is made up of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord, while the spinal cord connects the brain to the body parts for the exchange of motor and sensory information. Both the backbone and the spinal cord are located at the back of the body. While the backbone is an essential component of the skeletal system, the spinal cord is an important component of the backbone’s central nervous system. Both the backbone and the spinal cord are similar in length during the early stages of development. They eventually begin to differ in size over time.

What is a Spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a nerve sheath in the central nervous system that controls the most viscera and blood vessels in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. The spinal cord meninges, which include the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater, are located within the vertebral column. In humans, a male’s spinal cord is approximately 45 cm long, whereas a female’s spinal cord is approximately 42-43 cm long. At the brain stem, the superior end of the cord connects to the base of the brain. About two-thirds of the way down the backbone is the bottom or inferior end.

What is a Backbone?

The vertebrate backbone, also known as the vertebral column or spinal column, is unique. It is the primary component of the skeletal system that supports the body. In addition to providing support, the backbone protects the spinal cord, which is located within the backbone. The superior end of the backbone connects to the skull, while the bottom connects to the pelvis. This bony part is made up of 33 separate bones (in humans) called vertebrae and is not a single bone. The human backbone is curvy in four places: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. These curves are responsible for the spinal cord’s flexibility and support.

What is the difference between the Spinal Cord and the Backbone?

Spinal Cord

Backbone

The spinal cord is part of the nervous system

Whereas the backbone is part of the skeletal system.

The spine is a long nerve sheath

Whereas the backbone is made up of vertebrae.

The backbone supports the body and protects the spinal cord

whereas the spinal cord regulates visceral activities throughout the body.

Organization of the Spine

The spinal cord is a long, thin, white nerve bundle that runs down the centre of the back. They also relay information from the brain to the rest of the body. The backbone, also known as the spinal column, is a group of 33 bones that protect the spinal cord. The spine is divided into five sections known as vertebrae. Cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), sacral (pelvic), and coccyx vertebrae are named after the type of bone they are made of (tailbone).

Spinal Nerves

Between the vertebrae, the spinal cord gives rise to 31 spinal nerve pairs. Each nerve produces two short branches (roots): One is located at the front of the spinal cord. The one at the spinal cord’s back end The motor roots carry commands, particularly skeletal muscles, from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. They are the sensorial roots that bring information from other parts of the body to the brain.

Cauda equina

The spinal cord comes to an end about three-fourths of the way down the spine, but a bundle of nerves extends beyond the cord. This bundle is known as the cauda equina because it resembles a horse’s tail. The cauda equina transports nerve impulses to and from the legs.

Spinal arteries

The spinal arteries are the arteries that run vertically down the spinal cord and rise from the vertebral artery. There are several branches of other arteries, as well as numerous spinal artery anastomoses, that form a vasocorona around the spinal cord. Even when the anterior spinal artery causes power loss and a spinothalamic sensory deficit, the dorsal column sensory is preserved.

Functions of Backbone

Backbone primary functions are as follows:

  • Aiding in the development of single-page applications
  • Providing a framework for data management
  • Making it simple to attach data to DOM elements
  • Enabling object-to-object event-based communication
  • Providing DOM manipulation utilities

Conclusion

The backbone is made up of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord, while the spinal cord connects the brain to the body parts for the exchange of motor and sensory information. Introduction The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs inside the cavity, bone tunnel of the vertebral column, which forms the bones of the back. The backbone is made up of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord, while the spinal cord connects the brain to the body parts for the exchange of motor and sensory information. Both the backbone and the spinal cord are located at the back of the body. While the backbone is an essential component of the skeletal system, the spinal cord is an important component of the backbone’s central nervous system.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

Is the spinal cord and the backbone the same thing?

Ans : Despite the fact that they run concurrently, they are completely separate and have distinct s...Read full

What's the distinction between a backbone and a spine?

Ans : The spinal cord is a component of the central nervous system that is located within the backb...Read full

What exactly is the spinal cord?

Ans : A column of nerve tissue that runs down the centre of the back from the base of the skull. It...Read full

What is the purpose of the backbone?

Ans : The spine, also known as the backbone, is the central support structure of your body. It link...Read full