L04 The Spinal Cord Flashcards
at which spinal segment level does the spinal cord end? what is the terminal spinal cord called? what are the fibres after the terminus called?
ends at L2 at the terminus called the conus medullaris. extends as the cauda equina.
how far does the dural sac extend? which layers comprise the dural sac?
S2.
dural sac made of dura and arachnoid maters.
what do you call the extended subarachnoid space between L2 and S2? what’s the clinical significance of this location?
lumbar cistern, which is commonly the site of lumbar punctures for CSF sampling.
what connects the spinal cord and dural sac to the coccyx?
filium terminale externa.
what is the name of the attachments of pia mater that anchor the spinal cord laterally to the dural sac?
denticulate ligaments
name the three main sulci that divide the spinal cord’s white matter.
ventral lateral sulcus, dorsal lateral sulcus, dorsal median sulcus.
name the three main columns that divide the spinal cord’s white matter.
ventral column, lateral column, dorsal column.
columns may also be referred to as funiculi.
what is the primary function of the dorsal horn of grey matter?
sensation
what is the primary function of the ventral horn of grey matter?
motor
what is the primary function of lateral horns (intermediolateral cell column) of grey matter? between which spinal segments are these found?
overall, visceral motor.
sympathetic (preganglionic) bodies between T1-L2 (visible). parasympathetic (preganglionic) bodies between S2-S4 (hidden by large ventral horns).
which spinal cord segments do you find somatic motor neurons for the arms?
lower cervical. between C5-T1.
which spinal cord segments do you find somatic motor neurons for the legs?
lumbosacral. between L2-S3.
what do you call the fibre of a union of dorsal and ventral roots?
spinal nerve.
