An Introduction to the Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes Flashcards
What is a spinal reflex?
It is a rapid, automatic nerve responses triggered by specific stimuli.
What are spinal reflexes controlled by?
They are controlled by the spinal cord alone (not the brain).
A sensory receptor is triggered and the sensory input travels over _____ nerves to the reflex centres in the brain.
cranial
The brain sends a _____ _____ over cranial nerves to the _______.
motor output
effectors
A sensory receptor is triggered and the sensory input travels over _____ nerves to the reflex centres in the spinal cord.
Spinal
The spinal cord sends a _____ _____ over spinal nerves to the _______.
motor output
effectors
Muscles, Glands and Adipose tissues are all examples of what?
Effectors
The spinal _____ is about 18 inches _____ and 1/2 inch ______.
cord, long, wide
The spinal cord itself is not as long as the ______ _______.
vertebral column
Where does the spinal cord end?
Between vertebrae L1 and L2
The spinal cord has bilateral ________.
symmetry
What do the grooves do to the spinal cord?
They divide the spinal cord into left and right.
Name the 2 grooves of the spinal cord.
- Posterior median sulcus – on posterior side
* Anterior median fissure – deeper groove on anterior side
What are enlargements of the spinal cord caused by?
The amount of gray matter in segment
The involvement with sensory and motor nerves of limbs.
Name the 2 spinal cord enlargements.
Cervical enlargement and Lumbar enlargement.
What is the role of the cervical enlargement?
Supplies nerves (innervation) to the shoulders and upper limbs
What is the role of the lumbar enlargement?
Provides innervation (supplies nerves) to structures of the pelvis and lower limbs.
What do the conus medullaris, filum terminale and cauda equina make up?
The distal end of the spinal cord.
What is the name of the thin, conical spinal cord below lumbar enlargement?
Conus medullaris
Name the thin thread of fibrous tissue at end of conus medullaris that attaches to the coccygeal ligament.
Filum Terminale
What is the Cauda Equina?
Nerve roots extending below conus medullaris
Spinal cord segments are based on ______ where spinal nerves originate.
vertebrae
Positions of spinal segment and vertebrae change with _______.
age.
Cervical nerves are named for ______ vertebra whereas all other nerves are named for _____ vertebra.
inferior, superior.
The two branches of spinal nerves are known as ____.
roots
Name the 2 roots of the spinal nerves.
Ventral root and Dorsal root.
What does the ventral root contain?
The ventral root contains axons of motor neurons.
What does the dorsal root contain?
The dorsal root contains axons of sensory neurons.
What contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons?
Dorsal Root Ganglia.
Distal to _____ root _____, the sensory and the motor ____ are bound together into a single _____ _______.
dorsal, ganglion, roots, spinal nerve.
What fibres to mixed nerves carry?
They carry both afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) fibres.
What are the spinal meninges?
Specialized membranes that isolate the spinal cord from its surroundings.
Name 3 functions of the spinal meninges.
- Protecting spinal cord against bumps and shocks to the skin of the back
- Carrying blood supply
- Continuous with cranial meninges, which surround the brain
What is the viral or bacterial infection of meninges known as?
Meningitis
Name the 3 meningeal layers.
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
The dura mater is the _____ layer of the spinal cord.
Outer