Anatomy 30 Labs 13 & 15
Nervous Tissue and the Spinal Cord
I. Lab Objectives
A. Describe neuron structures and their functions
B. Describe the components of a synapse
C. Differentiate between the three types of meningeal tissues
D. Describe spinal cord structures and their functions
II. Lab 13 Activity 1: Neuron Structures & Functions – label the following structures on a
neuron model (and slide of nerve tissue if applicable) and describe their basic functions
A. Cell Body contains most of the organelles, such as the nucleus, nucleolus, cytoplasm,
neurofibrils, Nissl bodies (rough ER)
B. Dendrites
C. Axon – includes the axon hillock, and axon terminals; may be covered with myelin sheath
and have nodes of Ranvier.
Which neuroglial cells produce the myelin sheath in the PNS? _______________________
What is the neurilemma? _____________________________________________________
Which neuroglial cells produce the myelin sheath in the CNS? _______________________
III. Lab 13 Activity 2: Synapse – examine the synapse model and label the following
structures
A. Presynaptic neuron axon terminal – contains synaptic vesicles with neurotransmitters
B. Synaptic cleft
C. Postsynaptic neuron with receptors for neurotransmitters
Complete the Lab 13 Review Sheets on pp. 157-160.
V. Lab 15 Activity 1: Spinal cord – examine the models of the spinal cord and label the
following structures.
A. Meninges – connective tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. Examine the cross
sectional model of the spinal cord in the vertebra and label the following
1. Dura mater – has epidural space above (only in spinal cord), and subdural space below
2. Arachnoid mater – has subdural space above, and subarachnoid space (which contains
CSF) below
3. Pia mater – has subarachnoid space above, adheres to brain and spinal cord surfaces
B. Spinal cord cross-section
1. Anterior median fissure, posterior median sulcus, and central canal
2. White matter – anterior, lateral, and posterior columns (ascending and descending nerve
tracts)
3. Gray matter – dorsal horns (sensory), ventral horns (somatic motor), lateral horns
(autonomic motor)
4. Dorsal roots and ganglion (lateral to the spinal cord)
5. Ventral roots
6. Spinal nerves
C. Spinal cord with spinal nerves (longitudinal model) – Label the following structures on
the diagram below.
Cervical enlargement with cervical and brachial plexuses, thoracic spinal nerves, lumbar
enlargement, lumbar and sacral plexuses, conus medullaris, and cauda equina.
Complete the Lab 15 Review Sheets on pp. 189-190.