spinal cord

Definition

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem down the back and is encased within the vertebral column. It functions as a major conduit for information to travel between the brain and the rest of the body, enabling sensory data to be sent to the brain and motor commands to be dispatched to various body parts.

Analogy

Think of the spinal cord as the main highway in a vast network of roads; just like a highway connects cities and allows for efficient travel between them, the spinal cord connects the brain to different parts of the body, allowing for quick communication and coordination.

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