Control Lecture 1: Spinal cord and spinal nerves Flashcards
Which spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal above the level of their corresponding vertebrae?
C1-C7
What are the names/locations of the two major enlargements of the spinal cord?
Cervical enlargement - gives rise to brachial plexus
Lumbar enlargement - gives rise to sciatic nerve/lumbosacral plexus
Which rootlets carry sensory information into the spinal cord?
Dorsal rootlets
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate, and what is the name of the structure at its termination?
L1/L2, terminates at the conus medullaris
What structure do the spinal nerves form below the termination of the spinal cord?
Corda equina
What is the filum terminale a continuation of?
Pia mater
Where does the filum terminale attach to anchor the spinal cord in place?
Coccyx
Name the meninges, from superficial to deep?
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Which of the meninges is thick and fibrous?
Dura mater
What is the main component of the epidural space?
Fat
Which of these is a potential space in the vertebral canal - epidural, subdural or subarachnoid space?
Subdural
Which meningeal space contains CSF?
Subarachnoid space
Is the arachnoid mater pushed against the pia or dura mater?
Dura mater
Which of the meninges forms the denticulate ligaments?
Pia mater
Where do the denticulate ligaments attach on the walls of the vertebral canal?
Laterally
What is the function of the denticulate ligaments?
Stablise the cord and hold it in place
What is the name for the section of the vertebral canal below the termination of the spinal cord?
Lumbar cistern
Which method of administering anaesthetic can be given to affect specific spinal nerves - spinal or epidural?
Epidural
What vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate at in newborns?
L3
What kind of nerve fibres are carried in the ventral grey horn?
Motor
What kind of nerve fibres are carried in the lateral grey horn?
Autonomic
What kind of nerve fibres are carried in the dorsal grey horn?
Sensory
At what vertebral level to the dura and arachnoid mater fuse and terminate?
S2
