Exercises 5 Flashcards
What is the name of the cylindrical structure enclosed within the vertebral column/
The spinal cord - approx. 42cm long and 1.8cm thick.
What serves as a 2 way pathway for sensory & motor activity between the brain & the body?
the spinal cord.
What is the space called between the vertebrae and the spinal dura mater?
epidural space
What is the name of the tapered, lower end of the spinal cord covered in pia mater?
conus medullaris
What extends from the conus to the coccyx where it anchors the spinal cord so as to stabilize the cord & prevent jostling by body movements?
filum terminale - fibrous extension of the conus covered by pia mater.
Paired spinal nerves are attached to the spinal cord by what?
nerve roots. each nerve exits from the vertebral column by passing above its corresponding vertebra.
What is the name of the bundle of spinal nerves & spinal nerve roots from the L2 nerve to the coccygeal nerve?
cauda equine (horse’s tail) - These nerves supply the pelvic organs & lower limbs
Anatomy of the spinal cord - what is the H shaped mass divided into horns called?
grey matter - consisting mainly of neuron cell bodies
Anatomy of the spinal cord - entry point for sensory nerves?
dorsal (posterior) horns - primarily relay sensations
Anatomy of the spinal cord - exit point for motor nerves?
ventral (anterior) horns - primarily relay voluntary motor & reflex activity.
Anatomy of the spinal cord - what surrounds the horns & consists of myelinated nerve fibres or axons grouped in vertical tracts or long ropes?
white matter - all axons in one tract serve one general function such as touch or pain.
In addition to carry impulses to & from the brain, the spinal cord regulates what?
reflexes - a reflex is the simplest response to a stimulus.
What is the name of the automatic, involuntary reaction to a stimulus e.g. when I doctor taps your knee?
reflex arc - the reaction to the stimulus is involuntary with the CNS being informed but not consciously controlling the response. also e.g. balance, blinking & stretching reflex.
The PNS can be divided into two nervous systems which are?
somatic NS & autonomic NS
PNS - which nervous system includes all nerves controlling the voluntary muscular syst & external sensory receptors such as smell, taste, hear, seeing & touching?
somatic nervous system (SNS) it consists of cranial nerves & spinal nerves
Which nerves in the Somatic NS take impulses to and from the brain?
cranial nerves (CN) there are 12 pairs of CN which emerge from and enter into the skull.
Which nerves in the SNS take impulses to and from the spinal cord?
spinal nerves - there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves which emerge from the spinal cord.
PNS - which nervous system regulates activities that are automatic or involuntary?
autonomic NS - it maintains homeostasis.
The Autonomic NS has two divisions which are ?
sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS
Within the Autonomic NS which NS controls organs in times of stress?
sympathetic NS e.g. the heart rate is speeded up by the SNS and slowed down by the PSN
Within the Autonomic NS which NS controls organs when the body is at rest?
parasympathetic NS - the bladder is relaxed by the SNS so that when it is full it can release urine and contracted by the PNS after releasing urine.
