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Article: Spinal Cord
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- Biology
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibers, no thicker than the human thumb, that links the brain with the rest of the body. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column, and together with the brain it comprises the central nervous system. The nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord form the peripheral nervous system.
Some nerves enter the spinal cord on its dorsal surface (which is closest to the back). These nerves carry sensory information to the spinal cord and are called afferent nerves. For example, they allow a person to determine if the pan on the stove is hot or cold, or if one's hand is touching
rough sandpaper or smooth silk. In contrast, the ...