Lecture 1: Spinal Cord Flashcards
describe the path of the spinal cord (where it starts, ends, and where there are enlargements)
starts at foramen magnum
cervical enlargement for cervical and brachial plexuses
lumbosacral enlargement for lumbar and sacral plexuses
ends at T12~L2 vertebral level
what spinal nerves are considered part of the lumbar section of the spinal cord
T11-L5
what spinal nerve exits from below C7 vertebrae
C8 nerve
vertebral foramen houses
spinal cord
where do spinal nerves exit
intervertebral foramen
what makes up the spinal canal
vertebral foramen and sacral canal
what layer of the meninges is filum terminale externum derived from
dura mater
what ligaments are derived from a condensing of the pia mater
denticulate ligament (teeth like)
filum terminale internum
blood supply to the spinal cord
anterior spinal artery supplies most of the spinal cord and anterior medulla
posterior spinal arteries (x2) supplies most of the posterior spinal cord and medulla
both receive segmental support as well
where does the anterior spinal artery stem from
both vertebral arteries give a branch to form
where do the posterior spinal arteries derive from
each of the PICA gives off one posterior spinal artery
white matter is made up of
myelinated axons
gray matter is made up of
unmyelinated axons
ventral vs dorsal horn functions
ventral = motor
dorsal = sensory
compare the proximal vs distal spinal cord in terms of gray matter and white matter as well as the corresponding function
proximal = more ascending/descending tracts so more white matter than gray matter
distal = less descending and ascending tracts and more gray matter than white matter
where in a cross section of the SC can you see faciculus cuneatus
above T6
where in a cross section of the SC can you see fasciculus gracilis
below T6
describe gray matter
nuclei inside SC
10 laminae from dorsal to ventral with different functions
where is lamina IX
in both lamina VII and VIII
substantia gelatinosa: levels of SC, lamina, and function
all levels
lamina II
function = modulate pain and temp info transmission
Clarke’s nucleus: levels of SC, lamina, and function
levels: T1-L2
lamina VII
function: posterior spinocerebellar tract cells
intermediolateral column: levels of SC, lamina, and function
levels: T1-L2
lamina: VII
function: preganglionic sympathetic neirons
sacral parasympathetic nucleus: levels of SC, lamina, and function
levels: S2-S4
lamina: VII
function = preganglionic sympathetic neurons; pelvic floor function