Nerve and Blood Supply of the Back Flashcards
Connective tissue membranes
Meninges
Types of meninges
- Dura
- Arachnoid
- Pia
Meningeal spaces
- Subarachnoid space
- Subdural space
- Epidural space
Meningeal space filled with CSF and arteries
Subarachnoid space
Meningeal space where veins are located
Subdural space
Meningeal space where fat is located
Epidural space
Where does the spinal cord begin?
Medulla
Where does the spinal cord end?
Conus medullaris
Conical distal end of the spinal cord
Conus medullaris
Where is the conus medullaris?
L1-L2 vertebral level
Nerve roots extending beyond conus medullaris
Cauda equina
Cell bodies of alpha and gamma motor neurons (LMN)
Ventral horn
T1-L2= Preganglionic sympathetic neurons
S2-S4= Preganglionic parasympathetic neurons
Intermediolateral gray
Sensory cell bodies
Dorsal horn
Where is spinal nerve C1 found?
Between occipital and atlas
Where is C2 found
Between atlas and axis
Where is C3 found
Between C2 and C3
Where is C8 found
Between C7 and T1
Where is T1 found
Between T1 and T2
Sensory (afferent) root
Dorsal root
Ganglion on dorsal root commanding cell bodies of sensory neurons in the dorsal route (pseudounipolar)
Dorsal root ganglion
Motor (efferent) root
Ventral root
What are ventral roots formed by
Union of smaller ventral rootlets from ventral side of spinal cords
Each represents a fusion of two roots
Spinal nerve
Where are spinal nerves formed?
Intervertebral foramen
What do spinal nerves divide into?
Dorsal and ventral rami
Difference between rami and roots
Roots: Inside vertebral canal and join to form spinal nerve
Rami: Outside intervertebral foramen and represent bifurcation of spinal nerve
What do dorsal rami divide into?
Medial and lateral branches
Provides motor innervation to intrinsic muscles of the back
Dorsal rami
Branches of the dorsal rami in which all levels supply muscles, only levels T6 and UP are also cutaneous to upper back
Medial branches
Branches of the dorsal rami in which all levels supply muscles, only levels T6 and BELOW are also cutaneous to lower back and medial gluteus region
Lateral branches
These dorsal rami do not split into medial and lateral branches
- C1
- S4/S5
- Cx1
What do both branches of cervical nerves supply?
Intrinsic back muscles
Medial branches of C2, C3, C4, and usually C5 become what?
Cutaneous
What is the dorsal ramus of C1 called?
Suboccipital nerve
Does the suboccipital nerve divide into medial and lateral branches?
No
Largest of all dorsal rami
C2
What is the medial branch of dorsal ramus of C2 called?
Greater occipital nerve
What is the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of C2 cutaneous to?
Large are of the back and scalp
What is the medial branch of dorsal ramus of C3 called?
Third occipital nerve
All thoracic dorsal rami are divided into:
Medial and lateral branches
Thoracic dorsal rami that have medial branches becoming cutaneous after innervating intrinsic muscles
T1-T6