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Biol 235 Human Anatomy and Physiology > Chapter 13 The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves > Flashcards

Chapter 13 The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves Flashcards

1
Q

Vertebral Column

A

The bony structure that surrounds and protects the spinal cord. It consists of vertebrae and provides support for the body.

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2
Q

Spinal Meninges

A

The three layers of protective tissue (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater) that surround the spinal cord.

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3
Q

Cranial Meninges

A

The protective membranes surrounding the brain, consisting of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

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4
Q

Epidural Space

A

The space between the dura mater and the vertebral wall, filled with fat and blood vessels.

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5
Q

Dura Mater

A

The outermost, tough layer of the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

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6
Q

Arachnoid Mater

A

The middle layer of the meninges, located between the dura mater and pia mater, resembling a web-like structure.

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7
Q

Subdural Space

A

The potential space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater.

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8
Q

Pia Mater

A

The innermost layer of the meninges, closely adhering to the surface of the spinal cord and brain.

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9
Q

Denticulate Ligaments

A

Extensions of the pia mater that anchor the spinal cord to the dura mater, stabilizing it within the vertebral column.

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10
Q

Subarachnoid Space

A

The space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater, filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

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11
Q

Spinal Cord

A

The long, cylindrical structure extending from the brainstem to the lower back, transmitting neural signals between the brain and the body.

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12
Q

Cervical Enlargement

A

The thickened region of the spinal cord in the cervical area, which gives rise to the nerves controlling the upper limbs.

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13
Q

Lumbosacral Enlargement

A

The thickened region of the spinal cord in the lumbar and sacral areas, which gives rise to the nerves controlling the lower limbs.

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14
Q

Conus Medullaris

A

The tapered, lower end of the spinal cord, located at the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.

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15
Q

Filum Terminale

A

A threadlike extension of the pia mater that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.

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16
Q

Spinal Nerves

A

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord, divided into cervical (8), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacral (5), and coccygeal (1).

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17
Q

Roots

A

The two branches (dorsal and ventral) of a spinal nerve that emerge from the spinal cord.

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18
Q

Rootlets

A

Small, branching fibers that emerge from the spinal cord and combine to form the roots of a spinal nerve.

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19
Q

Posterior (Dorsal) Root

A

The sensory root of a spinal nerve, carrying afferent information from sensory receptors to the spinal cord.

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20
Q

Posterior Spinal (Dorsal Root) Ganglion

A

A cluster of sensory nerve cell bodies located in the dorsal root of a spinal nerve.

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21
Q

Anterior (Ventral) Root

A

The motor root of a spinal nerve, carrying efferent signals from the spinal cord to muscles and glands.

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22
Q

Cauda Equina

A

A bundle of spinal nerves and nerve roots that extend from the lower end of the spinal cord, resembling a horse’s tail.

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23
Q

White Matter of the Spinal Cord

A

The outer region of the spinal cord, composed of myelinated nerve fibers that carry signals to and from the brain.

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24
Q

Anterior Median Fissure

A

A deep groove running along the front of the spinal cord, dividing it into two halves.

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25
Q

Posterior Median Sulcus

A

A shallow groove running along the back of the spinal cord, dividing it into two halves.

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26
Q

Gray Commissure

A

A region of gray matter that connects the left and right sides of the spinal cord.

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27
Q

Central Canal

A

A small, fluid-filled cavity running through the center of the spinal cord.

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28
Q

Anterior (Ventral) White Commissure

A

A region of white matter where nerve fibers cross from one side of the spinal cord to the other.

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29
Q

Gray Matter of the Spinal Cord and Brain

A

The region of the spinal cord and brain composed primarily of cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses.

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30
Q

Nuclei

A

Clusters of cell bodies within the CNS, involved in processing sensory and motor information.

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31
Q

Horns

A

The projections of gray matter in the spinal cord, including the posterior, anterior, and lateral horns.

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32
Q

Posterior (Dorsal) Gray Horns

A

The regions of the spinal cord gray matter that receive sensory information from the body.

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33
Q

Incoming Sensory Neurons

A

Neurons that transmit sensory information from the body to the spinal cord and brain.

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34
Q

Anterior (Ventral) Gray Horns

A

The regions of gray matter in the spinal cord that contain somatic motor nuclei, responsible for motor control.

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35
Q

Lateral Gray Horns

A

The regions of gray matter in the spinal cord that contain autonomic motor nuclei, involved in regulating smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

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36
Q

Somatic Motor Nuclei

A

Clusters of motor neurons in the spinal cord that control skeletal muscles.

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37
Q

Autonomic Motor Nuclei

A

Neurons in the spinal cord responsible for regulating the ANS, including heart rate and digestion.

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38
Q

Anterior (Ventral) White Columns/Funiculi

A

The white matter regions of the spinal cord that transmit motor signals from the brain to the body.

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39
Q

Posterior (Dorsal) White Columns/Funiculi

A

The white matter regions of the spinal cord that transmit sensory signals from the body to the brain.

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40
Q

Tracts or Fasciculi

A

Bundles of nerve fibers within the spinal cord that transmit specific types of information (sensory, motor).

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41
Q

Sensory (Ascending) Tracts

A

Nerve pathways that carry sensory information from the body to the brain.

42
Q

Motor (Descending) Tracts

A

Nerve pathways that carry motor commands from the brain to the muscles and glands.

43
Q

Sensory Input and Motor Output

A

The process of sensory information received by the spinal cord and brain, and motor commands sent from the brain to the body.

44
Q

Mixed Nerve

A

A nerve that contains both sensory and motor fibers, carrying information in both directions between the body and the spinal cord.

45
Q

Endoneurium

A

The connective tissue layer that surrounds individual nerve fibers (axons) within a nerve.

46
Q

Nerve Fascicles

A

Bundles of nerve fibers (axons) wrapped in the perineurium, forming a part of a larger nerve.

47
Q

Perineurium

A

The connective tissue sheath that surrounds each nerve fascicle, providing protection and structural integrity.

48
Q

Epineurium

A

The outermost connective tissue layer that surrounds an entire nerve, consisting of bundles of fascicles.

49
Q

Branches

A

The branches of a spinal nerve that split into anterior and posterior rami to carry motor and sensory information.

50
Q

Posterior (Dorsal) Ramus

A

The branch of a spinal nerve that innervates the skin and muscles of the back.

50
Q

Meningeal Branch

A

A branch of a spinal nerve that re-enters the vertebral canal to supply the meninges and blood vessels of the spinal cord.

50
Q

Anterior (Ventral) Ramus

A

The branch of a spinal nerve that innervates the skin, muscles, and organs of the anterior and lateral parts of the body.

51
Q

Communicating Rami (Rami Communicates)

A

Small branches that connect the spinal nerves to the sympathetic trunk, involved in autonomic functions

52
Q

Plexuses

A

Networks of interwoven nerve fibers formed from the anterior rami of spinal nerves that serve specific body regions.

53
Q

Cervical Plexus

A

A network of nerves formed from the anterior rami of C1-C4, which innervates the skin and muscles of the neck, shoulders, and diaphragm.

54
Q

Brachial Plexus

A

A network of nerves formed from the anterior rami of C5-C8 and T1, which innervates the shoulder, arm, and hand.

55
Q

Lumbar Plexus

A

A network of nerves formed from the anterior rami of L1-L4, which innervates the lower abdominal wall, thighs, and parts of the lower limbs.

56
Q

Sacral Plexus

A

A network of nerves formed from the anterior rami of L4-S4, which innervates the buttocks, lower limbs, and pelvic region.

57
Q

Coccygeal Plexus

A

A small network of nerves formed from the anterior rami of S5 and the coccygeal nerve, which innervates the skin around the coccyx.

58
Q

Intercostal Nerves / Thoracic Nerves

A

The nerves arising from the anterior rami of T1-T11, which innervate the intercostal muscles and the skin of the thorax.

59
Q

Dermatome

A

An area of skin innervated by the sensory fibers of a single spinal nerve, used to map sensory input.

60
Q

Nerve Impulse Propagation

A

The process by which electrical signals (action potentials) travel along axons, enabling communication between nerve cells.

61
Q

Integration of Information

A

The process by which sensory input is processed and interpreted by the CNS to generate appropriate motor responses.

62
Q

Spinothalamic Tract

A

An ascending sensory pathway that carries information about pain, temperature, and crude touch to the thalamus.

63
Q

Posterior Column/Funiculi

A

The white matter in the spinal cord that transmits fine touch, vibration, and proprioception to the brain

64
Q

Gracile Fasciculus

A

A sensory tract in the posterior column that carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioceptive information from the lower body.

65
Q

Cuneate Fasciculus

A

A sensory tract in the posterior column that carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioceptive information from the upper body

66
Q

Direct Motor Pathways (Pyramidal Pathways)

A

Motor pathways that originate in the cerebral cortex and directly control voluntary movement

67
Q

Lateral Corticospinal, Anterior Corticospinal, and Corticobulbar Tracts

A

Motor pathways that transmit voluntary motor commands from the brain to muscles. The lateral corticospinal tract controls limbs, the anterior corticospinal tract controls trunk muscles, and the corticobulbar tract controls facial muscles.

68
Q

Indirect Motor Pathways (Extrapyramidal Pathways)

A

Motor pathways that coordinate movement and posture, involving the brainstem and not directly involving the pyramidal system.

69
Q

Rubrospinal, Tectospinal, Vestibulospinal, Lateral Reticulospinal, and Medial Reticulospinal Tracts

A

Indirect motor pathways that control posture, reflexive movements, and coordination of muscle tone, balance, and head movement.

70
Q

Automatic Movements

A

Involuntary movements regulated by the autonomic nervous system or reflex arcs, such as breathing or reflexive withdrawal from pain.

71
Q

Reflex

A

An involuntary, automatic response to a stimulus, often mediated by the spinal cord, designed to protect the body.

72
Q

Spinal Reflex

A

A reflex that is processed at the spinal level without involving the brain, such as the withdrawal reflex

73
Q

Cranial Reflex

A

A reflex that involves the brainstem, such as the pupillary light reflex or blinking.

74
Q

Somatic Reflexes

A

Reflexes that involve skeletal muscles and are controlled by the somatic nervous system, such as the patellar reflex.

75
Q

Autonomic (Visceral) Reflexes

A

Reflexes that involve smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands and are controlled by the ANS, such as the baroreceptor reflex.

76
Q

Reflex Arc (Reflex Circuit)

A

The pathway followed by nerve impulses during a reflex, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons, culminating in a rapid response.

77
Q

Sensory Receptor

A

A specialized structure that detects a specific stimulus, such as light, sound, or pressure, and initiates a nerve impulse.

78
Q

Stimulus

A

A change in the environment that can be detected by sensory receptors, such as heat, light, or mechanical pressure.

79
Q

Sensory Neuron

A

A nerve cell that transmits sensory information from sensory receptors to the CNS

80
Q

Integrating Center

A

A region within the CNS where sensory information is processed and interpreted to produce an appropriate response (often within the spinal cord or brain).

81
Q

Monosynaptic Reflex Arc

A

A simple reflex pathway involving only one synapse between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron, such as the stretch reflex.

82
Q

Polysynaptic Reflex Arc

A

A reflex pathway that involves one or more interneurons between the sensory neuron and motor neuron, allowing more complex responses.

83
Q

Motor Neuron

A

A nerve cell that transmits motor impulses from the CNS to an effector organ (such as a muscle or gland) to produce a response.

84
Q

Effector

A

A muscle or gland that responds to motor neuron stimulation, producing a bodily movement or secretion.

85
Q

Somatic Reflex

A

A reflex that involves the skeletal muscles and is controlled by the somatic nervous system, like the patellar reflex.

86
Q

Autonomic (Visceral) Reflex

A

A reflex that involves smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, or glands and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, such as the regulation of heart rate.

87
Q

Four Somatic Spinal Reflexes

A

The stretch reflex, the tendon reflex, the flexor (withdrawal) reflex, and the crossed extensor reflex.

88
Q

Stretch Reflex

A

A monosynaptic reflex that causes a muscle to contract in response to being stretched, maintaining muscle tone and posture (patellar reflex).

89
Q

Ipsilateral Reflex

A

A reflex that occurs on the same side of the body as the stimulus, such as the stretch reflex.

90
Q

Muscle Tone

A

The continuous and passive partial contraction of muscles, contributing to posture and balance, maintained by stretch reflexes.

91
Q

Reciprocal Innervation

A

A mechanism that ensures one muscle contracts while its antagonist relaxes, allowing coordinated movements (in the stretch reflex).

92
Q

Tendon Reflex

A

A reflex that protects muscles and tendons from excessive tension, initiated by the Golgi tendon organs in response to muscle stretch.

93
Q

Tension

A

The force exerted by a muscle or tendon, often measured during the tendon reflex to prevent damage from excessive tension.

94
Q

Tendon (Golgi Tendon) Organs

A

Sensory receptors located in tendons that detect changes in muscle tension and help regulate muscle contraction to prevent damage.

95
Q

Flexor Reflex / Withdrawal Reflex

A

A polysynaptic reflex that causes withdrawal from a painful stimulus, typically involving the contraction of flexor muscles.

96
Q

Intersegmental Reflex Arc

A

A reflex arc in which the sensory neuron synapses with interneurons in multiple spinal segments, allowing for coordinated movements across different parts of the body.

97
Q

Crossed Extensor Reflex

A

A polysynaptic reflex that occurs alongside the flexor reflex, where one limb withdraws while the opposite limb extends to maintain balance.

98
Q

Contralateral Reflex Arc

A

A reflex arc in which the response occurs on the opposite side of the body from the stimulus, as seen in the crossed extensor reflex.

Biol 235 Human Anatomy and Physiology (5 decks)

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