Anterior horn of the spinal cord

Anterior Horn of the Spinal Cord

The anterior horn of the spinal cord is a critical structure within the central nervous system that plays a vital role in motor function. It is located in the anterior (front) section of the spinal cord's grey matter and is primarily involved in transmitting motor signals from the brain to the body's muscles.

Structure

The spinal cord is divided into several regions: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral areas. Each of these regions contains grey matter, which is further divided into the anterior, lateral, and posterior horns. The anterior horn, specifically, contains motor neurons that are responsible for the voluntary movement of muscles. These neurons send axons out of the spinal cord through the anterior roots, which then form the spinal nerves that innervate muscles throughout the body.

Function

The primary function of the anterior horn is to house the cell bodies of motor neurons. These neurons receive signals from the brain and the spinal cord itself, integrating them to produce responses in the form of muscle contractions. The anterior horn plays a crucial role in the execution of voluntary movements and the maintenance of muscle tone and posture.

Clinical Significance

Damage or disease affecting the anterior horn cells can lead to a variety of motor neuron diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). These conditions are characterized by weakness and atrophy of muscles, as the affected motor neurons are unable to send signals to the muscles effectively.

See Also

• Motor neuron
• Spinal cord
• Central nervous system
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy