Lumbosacral Disease Flashcards
cauda equina
bundle of nerve roots caudal to the conus medullaris
peripheral nerves NOT spinal cord
conus medullaris
end of the spinal cord
do all spinal segments line up with the vertebral bodies
NO - spinal cord is shorter than the vertebral column
lines up from T1 to L2
in dogs - what vertebrae does the sacral cord begin at
sacral cord begins at L5
where do majority of nerve roots exit from the vertebrae to become spinal nerve
exit out of the foramen CAUDAL to the corresponding vertebrae
(ex. spinal nerve L2 exits out of the foramen between L2 and L3)
what are the short spinal nerves
- cervical
- thoracolumbar
just need to travel straight across because T1 to L2 lines up with corresponding vertebrae
what are the long spinal nerves
- caudal lumbar
- sacral
- caudal
have to travel caudally before they can exit
(ex. spinal nerve L7 originates at L4-5 and must travel down to L7-S1 to exit)
where do nerve roots C1-7 exit from the vertebrae to become spinal nerves
exit out of the foramen CRANIAL to the corresponding vertebrae
(ex. spinal nerve C2 exits between C1 and C2)
is there a C8 spinal nerve and vertebrae
there is a C8 spinal nerve but NO C8 vertebrae
C8 spinal nerve exits between C7 and T1
what structure do all sacral and caudal nerve roots pass over before exiting out of the vertebral foramen
L7 to S1 disc space
what are the differences between the cauda equina and spinal cord
cauda equina is made of peripheral nerves NOT spinal cord
- more robust/hardy; can be manipulated during surgery if needed
where does the spinal cord end/cauda equina begin in dogs and cats
L7 to caudal nerve roots
dogs: L6-7
cats: L7-S1
what are the most important peripheral nerves that arise from the cauda equina
- sciatic nerve (L6 to S2)
- pudendal nerve (S1 to S3)
- pelvic nerve (S1 to S2)
cauda equina syndrome (CES)
group of neurologic signs caused by a lesion affecting the cauda equina
can NOT differentiate from a L7-caudal myelopathy (normal thoracic limbs, LMN signs in pelvic limbs)
- must rule out L7-Cd myelopathy
general clinical signs of CES and L7-Cd myelopathy
- motor
- bladder
- sensory
- patellar reflex
- apparent pain
