External and Internal Anatomy of the Spinal Cord LO1, LO2 Flashcards

The spinal cord

1
Q

External Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

A

long, thin, delicate tubular structure
- protected by the vertebral column
- ends between L1- L2 of the
vertebral column in adults
and L4 in infants
- terminates with conus medullaris
- anchored to the coccyx by the filum terminale

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2
Q

Spinal cord divided into:

A
  • Cervcal 8
  • Thoracic 12
  • Lumbar 5
  • Sacral 5
  • coccygeal
  • a pair of spinal nerves connects to each segment
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3
Q

Spinal nerves

A

Connect to the spinal cord by dorsal & ventral nerve roots
Dorsal - axons of sensory neurons
Dorsal root ganglion - cell bodies of sensory neurons
ventral roots - axons of motor neurons (somatic & autonomic)

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4
Q

Protection of the Spinal Cord

A

The spinal cord is protected from mechanical forces by:
- vertebral column
- cerebrospinal fluid –> also nourishes the neural tissue & removes waste products
- spinal meninges

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5
Q

Internal Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

A

The neural tissue (neurons & neuroglia) of the spinal cord:
- posterior (dorsal) median sulcus (top)
- anterior (ventral) median fissure (bottom)
- organised into areas of gray matter (inside) & white matter (outside)

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6
Q

Gray Matter of spinal cord

A
  • Composed of neuron cell bodies (mainly), unmyelinated axons & neuroglia
  • Encloses a central canal –> filled with cerebrospinal fluid
  • Gray commissure - site where axons cross from one side of the CNS to the other
  • divided into grey horns
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7
Q

Grey horns

A
  • Sensory nuclei - Contain the cell bodies of spinal cord interneurons
  • Autonomic motor nuclei - Contain the cell bodies of preganglionic neurons
  • Somatic motor nuclei - Contain the cell bodies of lower motor neuron
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8
Q

White Matter ”conduction highway” spinal cord

A
  • Superficial to gray matter
  • Composed of myelinated (mainly) & unmyelinated axons
  • Anterior white commissure –> site where axons cross from one side of the CNS to the other
  • White columns contain ascending & descending
  • spinal cord tracts = bundles of axons
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9
Q

Spinal Cord Tracts of the White matter

A

Conduct sensory or motor information between the spinal cord & brain
- ascending tracts –> conduct sensory input to the brain
- descending tracts –> conduct motor output away from the brain

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10
Q

Ascending tract

A
  • Fasciulus gracilis
  • Fasciulus cuneatus
  • Lateral spinithalamic
  • Anterior spinocerrbellar
  • Posterior spinocerrbellar
  • Anterior spinothalmic
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11
Q

Descending tract

A
  • Lateral corticopsinal tracts
  • Anterior corticopsinal tracts
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12
Q

Fasciulus gracilis

A

Sensory info come inferior part of the body
- Posterior white column
- fine touch, vibration, light pressure, Propicoertion

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13
Q

Fasciulus cuneatus

A

Sensory info come superior part of the body
- Posterior white column
- fine touch, vibration, light pressure, Propicoertion

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14
Q

Lateral spinithalamic

A

sensory info to thalamus
Lateral white coloumn
- pain, temperature

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15
Q

Anterior spinocerrbellar
Posterior spinocerbellar

A

conduct sensory info to cerebellum
Lateral white coloumn
Proprioception

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16
Q

Anterior spinothalmic

A

Conduct sensory info to thalamus
Anterior white coloums
- crude touch, deep pressure

17
Q

Lateral corticopsinal tracts

A

Lateral white coloumn
- somatic motor output in skelteal muscles limbs

18
Q

Anterior corticopsinal tracts

A

anterior white coloumn
- somatic motor output controlling the trunk
- axial muscles