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What is the Central Canal?

Angela Wagley
Angela Wagley

The central canal is a small canal that runs through the center of the spinal cord and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. It represents the remainder of the neural canal in adults. The neural tube develops to become the brain stem and, expands dorsally and laterally to create the fourth ventricle. Generally, the unchanged neural canal in the spinal cord forms the central canal. It is an anatomic extension of the ventricles and is also referred to as the spinal foramen.

A spinal cord is about 18 inches (about 45 cm) long and connects the peripheral nerves to the brain. It is the major nerve tract of the body. The central nervous system is compromised of the brain and spinal cord — the central canal is at the very center of the spinal cord.

A cross section of the spinal cord; the central canal runs through the center.
A cross section of the spinal cord; the central canal runs through the center.

This canal runs from the conus medullaris in the lumbar spine to the end of the fourth ventricle, and is attached to the ventricle by the opex. Generally, the outermost part of the canal is the gray commissure, which is a thin strip of gray matter that surrounds the central canal of the spinal cord. The gray commissure, along with the anterior white commissure, connects the two parts of the cord. Ependymal cells that make the cerebrospinal fluid, the cilia, and the interior lumen can be found inside the gray commissure.

The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, receives and transmits signals to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which is composed of the nerves in the organs and muscles of the body.
The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, receives and transmits signals to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which is composed of the nerves in the organs and muscles of the body.

Typically, the central canal is prone to certain types of diseases and conditions that become more common as people age. Syringomyelia is a condition in which the central area of the spinal cord expands. This typically leads to damage of the white matter fibers in the anterior white commissure and causes pain and loss of sensation. Treatment involves surgical drainage to improve the symptoms of radicular pain and sensory disturbances.

The neural tube develops to become the brain stem.
The neural tube develops to become the brain stem.

Another common condition is central canal stenosis. The canal narrows over time and compresses the nerves resulting in claudication and radicular pain in the legs. Lumbar epidural steroid injections often provide short-term relief of the symptoms of condition. More severe cases can require decompression or fusion surgeries to relieve the painful symptoms.

A lumbar epidural steroid injection may be able to provide short-term relief from central canal stenosis.
A lumbar epidural steroid injection may be able to provide short-term relief from central canal stenosis.

Neuroanatomy is the branch of neuroscience that studies the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central canal is part of the central nervous system. Study of the anatomy of the nervous tissues and neural structures, and more specifically the distinct regions of the brain, provides a better idea of how the brain functions and how that affects other behaviors.

Discussion Comments

anon335728

My husband has just been diagnosed with a tumor between T9 and T10 that is blocking the central neural canal. Can you explain this to us?

anon294817

What is the function of the central canal?

Esther11

That spinal cord and the fluid inside, being as important as it is, in working so closely with the brain, must be heavily protected from injury. I'm not sure just how this is done. It seems that the brain can't work properly without the central nervous system which begins in the spinal cord.

When a spinal injury happens, like in a car accident, or a diving accident, the victim can be left paralyzed. This is very sad, especially when it happens to a young person.

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    • A cross section of the spinal cord; the central canal runs through the center.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      A cross section of the spinal cord; the central canal runs through the center.
    • The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, receives and transmits signals to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which is composed of the nerves in the organs and muscles of the body.
      By: snapgalleria
      The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, receives and transmits signals to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which is composed of the nerves in the organs and muscles of the body.
    • The neural tube develops to become the brain stem.
      By: 7activestudio
      The neural tube develops to become the brain stem.
    • A lumbar epidural steroid injection may be able to provide short-term relief from central canal stenosis.
      By: chanawit
      A lumbar epidural steroid injection may be able to provide short-term relief from central canal stenosis.
    • The central canal runs through the center of the spinal cord and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
      By: pankajstock123
      The central canal runs through the center of the spinal cord and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
    • A stiff neck may be a sign of a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid.
      By: Laurin Rinder
      A stiff neck may be a sign of a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid.
    • The spine holds and protects the spinal cord.
      By: nerthuz
      The spine holds and protects the spinal cord.