Chapter 14: The Spinal Cord

Question 1

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 1

31

Question 2

The spinal cord extends inferiorly from the ______ through the ________ _________

Answer 2

brain’s medulla

vertebral canal

Question 3

Where does the spinal cord end?

Answer 3

at the L1 vertebrae with the “conus medullaris”

Question 4

What are the 2 widened regions of the spinal cord and what do they innervate?

Answer 4

1. cervical enlargement (upper limbs)

2. lumbar enlargement (lower limbs)

Question 5

What are the 5 divisions of the spinal cord?

Answer 5

1. cervical
2. thoracic
3. lumbar
4. sacral
5. coccygeal

Question 6

How many pairs of Cervical nerves are there?

Answer 6

8

Question 7

How many pairs of Thoracic nerves are there?

Answer 7

12

Question 8

How many pairs of Lumbar nerves are there?

Answer 8

5

Question 9

How many pairs of Sacral nerves are there?

Answer 9

5

Question 10

How many pairs of Coccygeal nerves are there?

Answer 10

1

Question 11

T / F : Vertebrae growth continues after the spinal cord growth is complete

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What is the “filum terminale?”

Answer 12

a thin strand of pia that attaches the conus medullaris to the coccyx

Question 13

What are the 3 meningeal layers of the spinal cord?

Answer 13

external to internal:

1. dura mater
2. arachnoid mater
3. pia mater

Question 14

What procedure obtains CSF for medical diagnoses?

Answer 14

lumbar puncture (LP)

Question 15

Where is the spine is an LP performed?

Answer 15

just above / below L4, into the subarachnoid space

Question 16

Where are cell bodies of SOMATIC MOTOR NEURONS found?

Answer 16

the anterior horns of gray matter

Question 17

Where are cell bodies of AUTONOMIC MOTOR NEURONS found?

Answer 17

the lateral horns of gray matter (T1 - L2)

Question 18

Where axons of SENSORY NEURONS and cell bodies of INTERNEURONS found?

Answer 18

the posterior horns of gray matter

Question 19

What are “nuclei” in the spinal cord?

Answer 19

groups of cell bodies

Question 20

What are the 3 regions of white matter?

Answer 20

1. anterior funiculus
2. lateral funiculus
3. posterior funiculus

Question 21

Where are axons located?

Answer 21

in the spinal cord tracts

Question 22

Where are cell bodies located?

Answer 22

in ganglia

Question 23

What pathway signals for: proprioception, touch, temperature, pressure & pain?

Answer 23

the sensory pathway

Question 24

What neuron relays the signal from the skin to the brainstem?

Answer 24

the primary neuron

Question 25

What neuron relays the signal from the medulla to the thalamus?

Answer 25

the secondary neuron

Question 26

What neuron relays the signal to the primary somatosensory cortex?

Answer 26

the tertiary neuron

Question 27

What pathway signals for: crude touch, pressure, pain and temperature with a 3 neuron train?

Answer 27

the anterolateral pathway

Question 28

What pathway signals for propioception?

Answer 28

the spinocerebellar pathway

Question 29

What is a dermatome?

Answer 29

a segment of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve

Question 30

What dermatome is associated with appendicitis?

Answer 30

T10

Question 31

What dermatome is associated with medial arm / forearm?

Answer 31

C8

Question 32

What nerve innervates the diaphragm?

Answer 32

the phrenic nerve

Question 33

What is the largest and longest nerve in the body?

Answer 33

the sciatic nerve

Question 34

What is a "reflex?"

Answer 34

an involuntary response that is a survival mechanism

Question 35

What is a "reflex arc?"

Answer 35

the neural pathway responsible for generating the response

Question 36

What prevents muscles from contracting excessively?

Answer 36

the Golgi tendon reflex

Question 37

What is "clonus?"

Answer 37

rhythmic oscillating movements with reflex testing

Question 38

The "cervical plexus" consists of which nerves?

Answer 38

C1 - C4

Question 39

The "cervical atlas" consists of which nerves?

Answer 39

C1

Question 40

What is the "cauda equina?"

Answer 40

rootlets from parts L2 and below

Question 41

ALP-SAS

Answer 41

``` Anterior = Somatic Lateral = Autonomic Posterior = Sensory ```

Question 42

What does a hypoactive reflex indicate?

Answer 42

damage to the spinal cord, damage to the neuromuscular junction, or muscle disease

Question 43

What does a hyperactive reflex indicate?

Answer 43

damage to the brain

Question 44

What are the "denticulate ligaments?"

Answer 44

the lateral extensions of the pia mater that help suspend the spinal cord

Question 45

Where does CSF flow?

Answer 45

within the subarachnoid space

Question 46

What is the space between the vertebra and the dura mater?

Answer 46

the epidural space

Question 47

After a spinal cord injury, prompt use of ________ may preserve muscle function

Answer 47

steroids

Question 48

In spinal cord injuries, what can reduce the number of deaths from pulmonary or urinary infections?

Answer 48

early antibiotics

Question 49

What can be used to regenerate CNS axons?

Answer 49

neural stem cells

Question 50

Which tracts are related to posture and balance?

Answer 50

reticulospinal

Question 51

Which tracts are related to responding to visual / auditory stimuli?

Answer 51

tectospinal

Question 52

Which tracts help maintain balance when sitting, standing and walking?

Answer 52

vestibulospinal

Question 53

What is sciatica characterized by?

Answer 53

extreme pain down posterior thigh and leg

Question 54

What may cause sciatica?

Answer 54

a herniated intervertebral disc