360 PHYSIOLOGY 



cross to the other side in their passage down the cord before becoming con- 

 nected with the anterior cornual cells. Hemisection therefore of the spinal 

 cord in the dorsal region will produce paralysis of motion and loss of or 

 impaired muscular sensation in the parts supplied by the nerves on the 

 same side below the lesion. 



A great part of the white matter of the cord is concerned then in main- 

 taining connection between the brain and higher parts of the nervous system 

 and the periphery, through the intermediation of the cells of the grey matter 

 of the cord. Corresponding to this function we find a gradual increase in 

 the number of fibres in the white matter as we ascend from the sacral part 

 of the cord to the medulla, the white matter being continually reinforced as 

 it ascends the cord by fibres establishing connection with the ganglion-cells 

 forming the nuclei of the nerve-roots. 



Vaso-motor impulses to the limbs travel down the lateral columns of the 

 cord on the same side. 



