B6.032 Prework 2: Spinal Cord, meninges, nerve roots Flashcards
where is the spinal cord
originates at foramen magnum
extends to L1-L2 region
what is the cauda aquina
nerve bundle extending downward from spinal cord
what are the 3 layers of meninges
from inside to outside *pia subarachnoid space *arachnoid *dura mater epidural space vertebral bone
function of pia
adheres to cord and nerve roots
contains blood vessels to supply the nerves
subarachnoid space
contains CSF
ends at S2
tap below L2 where the spinal cord ends
epidural space
contains lymphatics, fat, and venous plexus
important for spinal drainage
injections here treat nerve root pain
dorsal roots
sensory nerve roots
ventral roots
motor nerve roots
union of dorsal and ventral roots
spinal nerves
divisions of spinal nerves
dorsal ramus (smaller) anterior ramus (larger)
function of dorsal ramus
innervates structures of the dorsal trunk
medial branch innervates facet joints
function of anterior ramus
lumbosacral plexus comes from here
innervates lower limbs and ventral trunk
pattern of spinal nerves in cervical region
ABOVE vertebral level except at C7 vertebra one above (C7) one below (C8)
pattern of spinal nerves in rest of the spine
BELOW vertebral level
aka T1 nerve below T1 vertebra
what types of conditions can cause neural tissues problems
compression
traction
inflammation infection
neural tissues
spinal cord cauda equina nerve roots spinal nerves plexus and peripheral nerves
radicular symptoms
leg pain > back pain
sharp pain distal to tissue injury
paresthesia
weakness
clinical exams for suspected neural tissue damage
neuro exam
electrophysiology
imaging
helps tell which tissues are compromised
components of neurological exam
myotomes
dermatomes
reflexes
myotomes
motor roots: key muscle testing
look for weakness and atrophy
dermatomes
sensory roots: cutaneous light touch
look for decrease in sensation
reflexes
L3, L4, L5, S1, Babinski
look for hypo or hyper reflexes
nerve root injury result
sensory and motor changes IN SPECIFIC DERMATOME AND MYOTOME patter
hypo reflexes
spinal cord injury result
symptoms of NONSERMATOME AND NONMYOTOME pattern of multiple segments
hyper reflexes