(1) through the spinal nerves that attach to it, the spinal cord is involved in the sensory and motor innervation of the entire body inferior to the head; (2) through the ascending and descending tracts traveling within its white matter, the spinal cord provides a two-way conduction pathway for signals between the body and brain; (3) through sensory and motor integration in its gray matter, the spinal cord is a major center for reflexes
