Lecture 1: Spinal Cord

Question 1

what is the function of the filum terminale and what are the locations

Answer 1

filum terminale internum -> more proximal
filum terminale externum -> more distal

fixes spinal cord to the coccyx

Question 2

what is the denticulate ligaments and what is its function

Answer 2

triangular shaped extensions between the pia mater and spinal cord

stabilize spinal cord

Question 3

list the pia mater, dura mater, and arachnoid mater from superficial to deep

Answer 3

dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

Question 4

(dorsal/ventral) horn is responsible for sensory functions

Answer 4

dorsal/posterior horn

Question 5

white matter (increases/decreases) in the spinal cord as you travel superiorly

why

Answer 5

increases

more ascending and descending tracts

Question 6

substantia gelatinosa:

__ level
__ lamina
function:
sensory/visceral motor/somatic motor

Answer 6

all levels
II lamina
function: modulate transmission of pain and temperature information
sensory

(spinothalamic tract)

Question 7

clarke’s nucleus:

__ levels
__ lamina
function:
sensory/visceral motor/somatic motor

Answer 7

T1-L2 levels
VII lamina
function: posterior spinocerebellar tract cells
sensory

Question 8

intermediolateral column:

__ levels
__ lamina
function:
sensory/visceral motor/somatic motor

Answer 8

T1-L2 levels
VII lamina
function: preganglionic sympathetic neurons

Question 9

sacral parasympathetic nucleus:

__ level
__ lamina
function:
sensory/visceral motor/somatic motor

Answer 9

S2-4 levels
VII lamina
function: preganglionic parasympathetic neurons -> pelvic viscera
visceral motor

Question 10

accessory nucleus:

__ levels
__ lamina
function:
sensory/visceral motor/somatic motor

Answer 10

C1-5 levels
IX lamina
function: motor neurons -> SCM and trap
somatic motor

Question 11

phrenic nucleus:

__ levels
__ lamina
function:
sensory/visceral motor/somatic motor

Answer 11

C3-5 levels
IX lamina
functions: motor neurons -> diaphragm
somatic motor

Question 12

moving medial to lateral in the ventral horn, what area of the extremities are affected

Answer 12

proximal/axial to distal extremity

Question 13

moving anterior to posterior, what muscle groups are controlled in the ventral horn

Answer 13

extensor to flexor

Question 14

where are sensory 1st order neurons located

Answer 14

dorsal root ganglion

Question 15

the dorsal column medial leminiscus system is located in the ___ column

Answer 15

posterior

Question 16

where does the dorsal root ganglion ascend to

Answer 16

caudal medulla

Question 17

where are sensory 2nd order neurons located

Answer 17

caudal medulla

Question 18

what information does the dorsal column medial lemniscus system carry

Answer 18

conscious proprioception, vibration, and fine touch

Question 19

what order is the FG and FC in the spinal cord when moving medial to lateral

Answer 19

medial: faciculus gracilis
lateral: faciculus cuteatus

Question 20

the anterolateral system is also known as..

Answer 20

spinothalamic pathway

Question 21

what is the function of the anterior white commissure

Answer 21

nerve fibers that cross the midline of the spinal cord to transmit info from/to contralateral sides of the brain

Question 22

what is the function of the anterior spinothalamic pathway

where does it project to

Answer 22

diffuse (chronic) pain

spinal cord

Question 23

t/f
somatotopy is maintained in the anterior spinothalamic pathway

Answer 23

false

somatotopy is not maintained in the anterior spinothalamic pathway

Question 24

what information is carried by the lateral spinothalamic pathway

Answer 24

sharp pain
temperature
crude touch/itch

Question 25

what information is carried by the posterior spinocerebellar tract

Answer 25

unconscious proprioception

Question 26

what information does the posterior spinocerebellar tract carry and where does it send information to

Answer 26

ipsilateral sensory information to the cerebellum

Question 27

where does the anterior spinocerebellar tract decussate

Answer 27

after clarke's nucleus at the anterior white commissure

Question 28

what information does the anterior spinocerebellar tract carry

Answer 28

motor informaiton

Question 29

what tracts make up the spinocerebellar tract

Answer 29

posterior spinocerebellar tract anterior spinocerebellar tract

Question 30

moving posterior to anterior in the dorsal column medial lemniscus, what information is carried

Answer 30

proprioception - posterior vibration fine touch - anterior

Question 31

moving superficial to deep in the lateral spinothalamic tract, what body part information is carried

Answer 31

leg - superficial trunk arm neck - superficial

Question 32

what ascending tracts are uncrossed in the spinal cord

Answer 32

POSTERIOR COLUMN fasiculus gracilis fasiculus cuneatus lissauer's tract posterior spinocerebellar tract (rubrospinal cerebellar and dorsal spinocerebellar tract)

Question 33

what ascending tracts in the spinal cord are crossed

Answer 33

ANTLAT COLUMN lateral spinothalamic tract anterior spinocerebellar tract anterior lateral spinothalamic tract spinoreticular tract

Question 34

what tracts tun in the lateral funiculus

Answer 34

corticospinal tract rubrospinal tract

Question 35

what is the function of the lateral funiculus

Answer 35

flexor muscles innervating posterior ventral horn fine motor control

Question 36

t/f no somatotopy is found below the pons

Answer 36

true

Question 37

where do most of the fibers decssate in the corticospinal tract

Answer 37

at the pyramid

Question 38

what is the function of the rubrospinal tract

Answer 38

fine motor control

Question 39

what is the function of the anterior funiculus

Answer 39

mainly extensors innervating medial and anterior ventral horn

Question 40

what tracts run in the anterior funiculus

Answer 40

medial corticospinal tract vestibulospinal tract reticulospinal tract

Question 41

what descending tracts are crossed in the spinal cord

Answer 41

lateral corticospinal tract rubrospinal tract

Question 42

what descending tracts are uncrossed in the spinal cord

Answer 42

vestibulospinal tract reticulospinal tract anterior/medial corticospinal tract

Question 43

t/f most uncrossed descending tracts in the spinal cord project bilaterally through the anterior white commissure

Answer 43

true

Question 44

where does the lateral corticospinal tract cross

Answer 44

pyramid of medulla

Question 45

where does he rubrospinal tract cross

Answer 45

midbrain

Question 46

why are fine motor skills more difficult to recover following injury to the spinal cord

Answer 46

fine motor skills are located more laterally in the ventral horn

Question 47

what are the functions of the propriospinal neurons

Answer 47

central pattern generators interneurons coordinate reflexes interneurons for visceral pain sensory ascending tracts (archispinaothalamic tract) interneurons for higher level descending tracts

Question 48

what is the function of the fasciculus proprius

Answer 48

interconnecting different spinal cord levels

Question 49

what ipsilateral symptoms would you expect with brown sequard syndrome

Answer 49

DCML injury symptoms motor function loss proprioception/fine touch/vibration loss unconscious proprioception (posterior spinocerebellar tract involvement)

Question 50

what contralateral symptoms would you expect with brown sequard syndrome

Answer 50

anterior spinothalamic symptoms pain/temperatrure/crude touch loss altered motor function

Question 51

what is a syrinx

Answer 51

cyst in the spinal cord or brainstem

Question 52

what symptoms would you expect with syrinx

Answer 52

pain/paresthesia in the same dermatome bilaterally d/t compression on anterior white commissure = bilateral anterolateral system impaired