What connects the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord?

Study for the ASU BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Exam. Prepare with comprehensive materials, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

The gray commissure serves as a vital connection between the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord. It is composed of a band of gray matter that runs across the midline of the spinal cord, linking the two sides. This structure contains neurons that allow for communication between the left and right halves of the spinal cord, facilitating the integration of sensory and motor information.

The arrangement of the spinal cord itself includes the dorsal horns, which primarily deal with sensory input, and the ventral horns, which are mainly involved in motor output. By providing a pathway through the gray commissure, signals can be transmitted across the midline, enhancing the coordination of reflexes and responses to stimuli.

Other options, while important in their own right, do not function to connect the dorsal and ventral horns directly. Cerebrospinal fluid serves to cushion and protect the spinal cord and does not play a role in connecting these regions. White matter columns, which consist of myelinated axons, are involved in relaying information between different levels of the spinal cord and to the brain but do not bridge the dorsal and ventral horns. The central canal, which runs through the center of the spinal cord, contains cerebrospinal fluid and is not responsible for connecting

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