CH 13

Question 1

Describe the spinal cord (length, width and limits)

Answer 1

Adult spinal cord is approx 18 inches(45 cm)in length
1/2 inch (14mm) wide
Ends between vertebrae L1 and L2

Question 2

The spinal cord continues to enlarge and elongate until what age?

Answer 2

4 years old

Question 3

The spinal cord is __ than the spinal canal?

Answer 3

Shorter

Question 4

Describe the position of the white matter in the spinal cord

Answer 4

It is superficial.

Contains: Myelinated axons and unmyelinated axons.

Question 5

Organization of white matter: 3 Comlumns (funiculi)

Answer 5

• Posterior white columns
• anterior white columns
• Lateral white columns

Question 6

Describe the position of gray matter in the spinal cord.

Answer 6

Surrounds central canal of spinal cord
Contains: Neuron cell bodies, neuroglia and unmyelinated axons.
Has projections ( Gray Horns)

Question 7

Cervical enlargement

Answer 7

Responsible for supplying nerves of shoulders and upper limbs

Question 8

Lumbar enlargement

Answer 8

Nerves of pelvis and lower limbs

Question 9

In the spinal cord, white matter is separated into ascending and descending tracts organized as__

Answer 9

Ascending: Carry info to the brain
Descending: carry motor commands to the spinal cord

Question 10

What is the conus medullaris?

Answer 10

Pointy ending of spinal cord

Question 11

What is the fillum terminalis?

Answer 11

An extension of the pia mater that extends inferiorly and anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx

Question 12

Cauda equina

Answer 12

Lower lumbar and sacral nerves travel down vertebral canal and come out at different levels nerves of spinal cord travel down to form this cluster of nerves.
Used to get CSF sample.

Question 13

What is the denticulate ligament?

Answer 13

Extensions from the pia mater that anchor the spinal cord to the vertebral canal laterally, limits the side-to-side movement of the spinal cord.