Introduction to the Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves Flashcards
2 important functions of the spinal cord and its attached spinal nerves
- pathway for sensory and motor impulses
* responsible for reflexes
what is another word for anterior
ventral
what is another word for posterior
dorsal
what is another word for dorsal plate
alar plate (dorsal horn/sensory)
what is another word for ventral plate
basal plate (ventral horn/motor)
what are the 3 layers of the meningeal coverings
- Dura mater
- arachnoid mater
- pia mater
what are the three spaces in the spinal cord
subdural
subarachnoid
epidural
what is the intervertebral foramen
hole between vertebrae: where spinal cords exit out into the body
what is the difference between roots and rami
roots carry either motor or sensory while rami carry both motor and sensory
what are the 4 plexuses in the spinal cord and where are they located
- cervical (C1-C8)
- thoracic (T1-T12)
- lumbar (L1-L5)
- sacral (S1-S5)
what is the dorsal root attributed with (sensory or motor)
sensory
what is the ventral root attributed with (sensory or motor)
motor
define dermatome
area of skin innervated by the sensory fibers of a single nerve root
define myotome
a group of muscles that is primary innervated by the motor fibers of a single nerve root
what are the three ways that spinal nerves are distributed in the body
- intercostal nerves (anterior rami)
- dorsal rami (epaxial/back)
- nerves plexuses (anterior rami)
what are the major terminal branches (peripheral nerves)
- musculocutaneous
- median
- ulnar
- radial
- axillary
what is a reflex
rapid, automatic, involuntary reactions of muscles or glands to a stimulus
what are the components of a reflex arc
- the neural wiring of a single reflex
- always begins at a receptor in the PNS
- communicates with the CNS
- ends at a peripheral effector (muscle or gland)cell
define ipsilateral
when both the receptor and effector organs of the reflex are on the same side of the spinal cord
define contralateral
when the sensory impulses from a receptor organ cross over through the spinal cord to activate effector organs in the opposite side limb