Chapter 13 - The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves Flashcards
What are the Functions of the Spinal Cord?
1- Process reflexes
2- Integrate EPSP and IPSP
3- Conduct sensory impulses to the brain and motor impulses to effectors
What is the Protection of the Spinal Cord?
Spinal Cord is protected by:
1- Bone (vertebrae)
2- Connective Tissue (meninges)
3- Fluid (CSF)
What are Meninges?
The meninges are composed of 3 layers (same for brain):
1- Dura Mater
2- Arachnoid Mater
3- Pia Mater
Epidural space - between Dura and bone
Subdural space - between Dura and Arachnoid
Subarachnoid space - between Arachnoid and Pia, where CSF is
What is the External Anatomy of the Spinal Cord?
The spinal cord begins as an extension of the Medulla Oblongata at the level of the Foramen Magnum
Terminates at the level of L2
What is the Internal Anatomy of the Spinal Cord?
Spinal Nerve (plus Nerve Impulses trajectories)
Anterior Root of Spinal Nerve (plus Axons of Motor Neurons)
Posterior Root of Spinal Nerve
Posterior Root Ganglion (plus Axon of Sensory Neuron)
Anterior Rootlets
Posterior Rootlets
Lateral White Column
Anterior White Column
Posterior White Column
Anterior Gray Horn (plus Cell Body of Somatic Motor Neuron)
Posterior Gray Horn (plus Cell Body of Interneuron)
Lateral Gray Horn (plus Cell Body of Autonomic Motor Neuron)
Anterior Median Fissure
Posterior Median Sulcus
Anterior White Commissure
Gray Commissure
Central Canal
What is Sensory and Motor Processing?
The internal anatomy of the spinal cord allows sensory and motor information to be processed in an organized way:
SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:
First, Sensory receptors (ex: in skin) send nerve impulses
Second, Nerve impulses travel along sensory neuron to posterior root ganglion
Then one of the following happens:
1- Nerve impulses go to Brain through Sensory (Ascending) Tract
Then back through Motor (Descending) Tract to Somatic Motor Neuron in the Spinal Cord
Then to Effectors (Skeletal Muscles) through Anterior Root of Spinal Nerve
2- Nerve impulses go to Interneuron in Spinal cord
Then go to Brain through Sensory (ascending) Tract
Then back through Motor (Descending) Tract to Somatic Motor Neuron in the Spinal Cord
Then to Effectors (Skeletal Muscles) through Anterior Root of Spinal Nerve
3- Nerve impulses go to Interneuron in Spinal Cord
Then go to Somatic Motor Neuron in the Spinal Cord
Then to Effectors (Skeletal Muscles) through Anterior Root of Spinal Nerve
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:
Autonomic Motor Neuron in Spinal Cord sends nerve impulses
Nerve impulses go through Anterior Root of Spinal Nerve
Nerve impulses go to another Autonomic Motor Neuron to Effectors (Cardiac Muscle, Smooth Muscles, and Glands
What are the Characteristics of Cervical Segment of the Spinal Cord?
Relatively large diameter
Relatively large amounts of White Matter - oval
In upper Cervical segments (C1-C4):
Posterior Gray Horn is large
Anterior Gray Horn is relatively small
In lower Cervical segments (C5 and below)
Posterior Gray Horns are enlarged
Anterior Gray Horns are well developed
What are the Characteristics of Thoracic Segment of the Spinal Cord?
Small diameter due to relative small amounts of Gray Matter
(Except 1st Thoracic segment)
Anterior and Posterior Gray Horns are relatively small
Small Lateral Gray Horn is present
What are the Characteristics of Lumbar Segment of the Spinal Cord?
Nearly circular
Very large Anterior and Posterior Gray Horns
Small Lateral Gray Horn is present in upper segments
Relatively less White Matter than Cervical segment
What are the Characteristics of Sacral Segment of the Spinal Cord?
Relatively small
Relatively large amounts of Gray Matter
Relatively small amounts of White Matter
Anterior and Posterior Gray Horns are large and thick
What are the Characteristics of Coccygeal Segment of the Spinal Cord?
Resembles lower Sacral spinal segments but much smaller
What are Spinal Nerves?
Part of PNS
Spinal Nerves connect CNS to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands
31 Pairs of Spinal Nerves
Anterior and Posterior Roots attach a spinal nerve to a segment of the spinal cord
What is the Structure of Spinal Nerves?
Epineurium: covers spinal nerve
Fascicles and blood vessels inside spinal nerve
Perineurium: covers each Fascicle
Many Axons inside Fascicle
Endoneurium: covers each Axon
Many Axons covered by Myelin Sheath
What are Branches of a Spinal Nerve?
Shortly after passing through its intervertebral foramen, a spinal nerve divides into several branches known as Rami
Rami: branches of a spinal nerve
ex:
Anterior Ramus
Posterior Ramus
Meningeal Branch
Rami Communicantes
What is Dermatome?
Certain segments of the skin are supplied by spinal nerves that carry somatic sensory nerve impulses to the brain
What is Cervical Plexus?
Cervical Plexus: C1-C5
Supplies the skin and muscles of the:
Head
Neck
Superior portion of shoulders and chest
Diaphragm
What are the Superficial (Sensory) Branches of Cervical Plexus Nerves?
Lesser Occipital nerve
Great Auricular nerve
Transverse Cervical nerve
Supraclavicular nerve
What is Lesser Occipital Nerve?
Origin:
C2
Distribution:
Skin of scalp posterior and superior to ear
What is Great Auricular Nerve?
Origin:
C2-C3
Distribution:
Skin anterior, inferior, and over ear
Over Parotid glands
What is Transverse Cervical Nerve?
Origin:
C2-C3
Distribution:
Skin over anterior and lateral aspect of neck
What is Supraclavicular Nerve?
Origin:
C3-C4
Distribution:
Skin over superior portion of chest and shoulder
What are the Deep (Largely Motor) Branches of Cervical Plexus Nerves?
Superior Root of Ansa Cervicalis nerve
Inferior Root of Ansa Cervicalis nerve
Phrenic nerve
Segmental Branches nerve
What is Superior Root of Ansa Cervicalis Nerve?
Origin:
C1
Distribution:
Infrahyoid and Geniohyoid muscles of neck
What is Segmental Branches Nerve?
Origin:
C1-C5
Distribution:
Prevertebral (deep) muscles of neck
Levator Scapulae
Middle Scalene muscles
What is Inferior Root of Ansa Cervicalis Nerve?
Origin:
C2-C3
Distribution:
Infrahyoid muscle of neck
What is Phrenic Nerve?
Origin:
C3-C5
Distribution:
Diaphragm
What is Brachial Plexus?
Brachial Plexus: C4- T2
Provides almost the entire nerve supply to the shoulders and upper limbs
Subunits of the Brachial Plexus: (Risk Takers Don’t Cautiously Behave)
1- Roots
2- Trunks (Superior, Middle, Inferior)
3- Divisions (Anterior and Posterior)
4- Cords (Medial, Posterior, Lateral)
5- Branches
What are the Nerves of the Brachial Plexus?
Dorsal Scapular nerve
Long Thoracic nerve
Nerve to Subclavius
Suprascapular nerve
Musculocutaneous nerve
Lateral Pectoral nerve
Upper Subscapular nerve
Thoracodorsal nerve
Lower Subscapular nerve
Axillary nerve
Median nerve
Radial nerve
Medial Pectoral nerve
Medial Cutaneous nerve of arm
Medial Cutaneous nerve of forearm
Ulnar nerve
What is Dorsal Scapular Nerve?
Origin:
C5
Distribution:
Levator Scapulae
Rhomboid Major
Rhomboid Minor
What is Long Thoracic Nerve?
Origin:
C5-C7
Distribution:
Serratus Anterior
(If affected, leads to winged scapula)