L04: Myelopathies: Diseases of the Spinal Cord (Senneca) Flashcards
vertebral scale
C7 T13 L7 Sa3
Spinal cord segments scale
C8 T13 L7 Sa3 Ca5
blood supply of spinal cord
dorsolateral arteries connected by an anastomosing network to ventral spinal artery
-venous return via ventral vertebral venous plexus
Dorsal funiculus of spinal cord holds:
ascending tracts for proprioception and nociception (pain perception)
Lateral funiculus of spinal cord hold:
upper motor neuron tracts facilitory to limb flexors and inhibitory to extensors. Some ascending sensory tracts.
Ventral funiculus of spinal cord holds:
upper motor neuron tracts facilitory to extensors and inhibitory to flexors
main fx of upper motor neurons
control motor activity
-originate in brain and communicate with LMN (which innervate the muscles)
UMN signs seen with lesions affecting the descending motor pathways
- paresis, paralysis, postural reaction deficits, ataxia
- hypertonic, spastic
- hyperreflexia
LMN signs seen with lesions affecting the ventral horn of the spinal cord
- flaccid paresis/paralysis
- hyporeflexia
- neurogenic muscle atrophy (RAPID)
Horner’s Syndrome occurs at what segment?
T1-3 sympathetic fibers
Phrenic nerve at what segment?
C5-7
Lateral thoracic nerve at what segment?
C8-T1 (for cutaneous trunci panniculus)
LMN areas of clinical importance (2)**
C6-T2: Cervical intumescence
L4-S3: Lumbosacral intumescence (swelling)
CS of spinal cord disease
-paresis or plegia
-proprioceptive deficits (ipsilateral)
-proprioceptive ataxia
-loss of spinal reflexes depending on location
+/- abn. panniculus
-m. atrophy
+/- spinal pain
-micturition (urination) abnormalities
-respiratory difficulty with severe cervical lesions
CS NOT seen when disease affects ONLY spinal cord
- change in mentation/attitude
- cn deficits
- seizure
- vestibular signs
Does reflex response talk to brain?
NO
Does placing response talk to brain?
YES
Chart slide 14**
:)
C1-C5 lesions will have what responses/reflexes?
TL and PL reflexes only. No placing responses.
C6-T2 lesions will have what responses/reflexes?
PL reflexes only.
T3-L3 lesions will have what reflexes/responses?
TL and PL reflexes. TL placing response