ICL 6.0: Overview of Spinal Cord Structure & Cross Sectional Anatomy Flashcards
where does the spinal cord end?
L1/L2
what is the function of the substantia gelatinosa?
its located at rexed laminae 2 at the apex of the horn of grey matter
fibers conveying pain, temperature and touch synapse here = spinothalamic tract
what is the function of the nucleus proprius?
its located at rexed laminae 4 at the middle of the dorsal horn of grey matter
fibers conveying senses of position and movement synapse here = DCML
what anatomical landmark do motor fibers exit the spinal cord?
anterolateral sulcus
what is the ratio of grey to white matter in the spinal cord as you progress down?
there is more grey matter in comparison to white matter as you move caudally
where is the Intermediolateral Cell Column? what does it do?
it exists the spinal cord at the T1 - L1/L2
it mediates the entire sympathetic innervation of the body = fight or flight
where does the fasciculus cuneatus begin? what is it?
it’s part of the DCML tract and carried information from the upper body
it goes from T6-medulla –> so you would only see it in the cervical and upper thoracic cord but not the sacral
what spinal tract is associated with the substantia gelatinosa?
spinothalamic tract
what is the correlation of cervical vertebra with spinal cord segments?
C1-C7 vertebra = +1 spinal cord segment
so if there’s a C3 vertebral fracture then it would cause a C4 spinal cord injury
what is the correlation of thoracic vertebra with spinal cord segments?
T1-T6 vertebra = +2 spinal cord
so if you have a T3 vertebral fracture it would be a T5 spinal cord injury
T7-T9 vertebra = +3 spinal cord
so if there’s a T8 vertebral fracture then it would be a T11 spinal cord injury
T10 vertebra = L1 -L2 spinal cord injury
T11 vertebra = L3 -L4 spinal cord
T12 vertebra = L5 spinal cord injury
what is the correlation of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord segments?
L1 = conus medularis
What level of the vertebral column correlates with the T5 spinal cord level?
T3
because T1-T6 vertebral fracture is a +2 spinal cord injury
what is the arterial supply of the spinal cord at thoracic spinal cord level?
- anterior spinal artery
- posterior spinal arteries (2)
both run the entire length of the spinal cord and are reinforced with collateral circulation at multiple levels
there’s 6-8 radicular arteries which supply the anterior and posterior spinal arteries in the thoracic area and also make them anastomose
what is the anterior spinal artery a branch of?
vertebral artery
what is the arterial supply of blood in the cervical region of the spinal cord?
- anterior spinal artery
- posterior spinal arteries (2)
- ascending cervical arteries
- deep cervical arteries
what is the arterial supply of blood in the lumbar region?
- anterior spinal artery
- posterior spinal arteries (2)
- artery of adamkiewicz
what is the artery of adamkiewicz?
it’s the major arterial supply of the anterior spinal artery to the spinal cord from T8 to the conus medullaris
most commonly arises on the LEFT side and it ascends on the mid-sagittal anterior surface of the spinal cord and has an identifying “hairpin turn” at its
anastomosis with the anterior spinal artery
what parts of the spinal cord are vascularized by the anterior spinal artery?
the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord which includes:
- anterior white columns
- anterior white commissure
- lateral white columns
- anterior horn of gray matter
- lateral horn of gray matter
- lamina X (anterior and posterior gray commissure)
what parts of the spinal cord are vascularized by the posterior spinal arteries?
the posterior 1/3 of the spinal cord which includes:
- posterior white columns
- dorsal horn of grey matter
what is the arterial supply of the lateral spinal cord?
the arterial vasocorona
which tracts would be effected by an infarct of the anterior spinal artery?
- anterior corticospinal tract
- anterior spinothalamic tract
- ventral horn of gray matter
- central midline (Lamina X and anterior white commissure)
- lateral corticospinal tract
- lateral spinothalamic tract
so only the DCML and dorsal grey matter horn would be spared
which tracts would be effected by an infarct of the posterior spinal artery?
- posterior white columns
- dorsal horn maybeeee
- DCML tract
which tracts would be effected by an infarct of the arterial vasocorona?
ventral and dorsal spinocerebellar tracts
what is the function of the corticospinal tract?
it’s an efferent motor tract that converts:
- motor impulses from cortex to the end organ (skeletal muscle)
- voluntary movement for limbs