Control Lecture 1: Spinal cord and spinal nerves

Question 1

Which spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal above the level of their corresponding vertebrae?

Answer 1

C1-C7

Question 2

What are the names/locations of the two major enlargements of the spinal cord?

Answer 2

Cervical enlargement - gives rise to brachial plexus

Lumbar enlargement - gives rise to sciatic nerve/lumbosacral plexus

Question 3

Which rootlets carry sensory information into the spinal cord?

Answer 3

Dorsal rootlets

Question 4

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate, and what is the name of the structure at its termination?

Answer 4

L1/L2, terminates at the conus medullaris

Question 5

What structure do the spinal nerves form below the termination of the spinal cord?

Answer 5

Corda equina

Question 6

What is the filum terminale a continuation of?

Answer 6

Pia mater

Question 7

Where does the filum terminale attach to anchor the spinal cord in place?

Answer 7

Coccyx

Question 8

Name the meninges, from superficial to deep?

Answer 8

Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

Question 9

Which of the meninges is thick and fibrous?

Answer 9

Dura mater

Question 10

What is the main component of the epidural space?

Answer 10

Fat

Question 11

Which of these is a potential space in the vertebral canal - epidural, subdural or subarachnoid space?

Answer 11

Subdural

Question 12

Which meningeal space contains CSF?

Answer 12

Subarachnoid space

Question 13

Is the arachnoid mater pushed against the pia or dura mater?

Answer 13

Dura mater

Question 14

Which of the meninges forms the denticulate ligaments?

Answer 14

Pia mater

Question 15

Where do the denticulate ligaments attach on the walls of the vertebral canal?

Answer 15

Laterally

Question 16

What is the function of the denticulate ligaments?

Answer 16

Stablise the cord and hold it in place

Question 17

What is the name for the section of the vertebral canal below the termination of the spinal cord?

Answer 17

Lumbar cistern

Question 18

Which method of administering anaesthetic can be given to affect specific spinal nerves - spinal or epidural?

Answer 18

Epidural

Question 19

What vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate at in newborns?

Answer 19

L3

Question 20

What kind of nerve fibres are carried in the ventral grey horn?

Answer 20

Motor

Question 21

What kind of nerve fibres are carried in the lateral grey horn?

Answer 21

Autonomic

Question 22

What kind of nerve fibres are carried in the dorsal grey horn?

Answer 22

Sensory

Question 23

At what vertebral level to the dura and arachnoid mater fuse and terminate?

Answer 23

S2