Chapter 13: Spinal Cord, Nerves, & Somatic Reflexes Flashcards
conduction
nerve fibers that conduct info up and down the spinal cord (CNS)
neural integration
input from multiple sources, integrated & executed output
locomotion
repetitive, coordinated contractions of several muscle groups
reflexes
STAY AT THE SPINAL CORD LEVEL
involuntary stereotyped responses
spinal cord
cylinder of nervous tissue that arises from the brainstem at the foramen magnum of the skull
spinal cord passes through_____ and gives rise to ___ pairs of spinal nerves.
vertebral canal; 31
Where do the 31 spinal nerves pass?
1st pair: between the skull & C1
rest through intervertebral foramina
What 2 parts of the spinal cord are thicker than elsewhere?
- cervical enlargement (upper limbs)
- lumber enlargement (lower limbs)
medullary cone
cord tapers to a point inferior to lumbar enlargement
cauda equina
bundle of nerve roots that occupy the vertebral canal from L2 to S5
meninges
three fibrous connective tissue membranes that enclose the brain & spinal cord
What are the 3 meninges (superficial to deep)?
-dura mater, arachnoid mater, & pia mater
What is special about the pia mater?
it is continuous with the brain & spinal cord
What space surrounds the meninges?
epidural space
spina bifida? How is it prevented?
- congenital defect in which one or more vertebrae fail to form a complete vertebral arch for enclosure of the spinal cord
- prevented via folic acid(B vitamin)
The ____ is shaped like a butterfly and is surround by the ___ in 3 columns.
gray matter; white matter
gray matter (2)
- little myelin
- site of info processing, synaptic integration
white matter (2)
- abundantly myelinated
- carry signals from one part of the CNS to another
columns of funiculi
3 pairs of these white matter bundles (posterior, later, ventral columns)
ascending tracts
carry sensory info up the spinal cord (afferent)
BODY->SPINAL CORD->BRAIN
descending tracts
carry motor info down the spinal cord (efferent)
decussation
the fibers pass up or down the brainstem & spinal cord they CROSS OVER from left to right (CROSS OVER EVENT)
contralateral
when the origin & destination of a tract are on opposite sides of the body
ipsilateral
when the origin & destination of a tract are on the same side of the body
What are the 3 sensory neurons of the ascending tract?
first order, second order, third order neurons
first order neuron (ASCENDING)
detect the stimulus & transmit signal to spinal cord/brain
presynaptic
second order neuron (ASCENDING)
continues to the thalamus at the upper end of brainstem
-interneurons