Central canal

In this first lab, I do not expect you to identify this as the central canal, but you should recognize that it is lined by simple columnar epithelium. There is also a surface modification present. This surface modification is not present to increase surface area, but it is there for movement of the fluid in this canal. What is this surface modification? That is right, it is cilia, so we must call this type of epithelium simple columnar ciliated epithelium. The canal contains cerebral spinal fluid in the live animal, and the cilia are present for movement of this fluid through the canal..

In Lab 7, I expect you to identify the central canal and know that it contains cerebral spinal fluid. Where and how is cerebral spinal fluid produced? What is it's function? Where do you take cerebral spinal fluid samples in animals? Make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of each location. Samples of this fluid may help you determine the presence of a  bacterial meningitis or encephalitis (neutrophils) or a viral infection (monocytes); and an increase in proteins may be due to inflammation, hemorrhage or malacia.