Nerves

Question 1

Vertebral Foramen

Answer 1

• Creates vertebral canal for the spinal cord
• Branching happens at each vertebrae - pass through the intervertebral foramen

Question 2

Intervertebral Foramen

Answer 2

• In between each vertebrae
• individual spinal nerves exit the spine through here

Question 3

Naming Nerves in the Cervical Spine

Answer 3

8 cervical spinal nerves
Named for tehe vertebra below it
- eg. C2 spinal nerve exits between C1 and C2
- C3 spinal nerve exits between C2 and C3

Question 4

Naming nerves in the thoracic spine

Answer 4

12 thoracic spinal nerves
Named for the vertebra above it
- T1 spinal nerve exits between T1 and T2
- T2 spinal nerve exits between T2 and T3

Question 5

Naming nerves in the lumbar spine

Answer 5

5 lumbar spinal nerves
Named for the vertebra above it
- L1 spinal nerve exits between T12 and L1
- L2 spinal nerve exits between L1 and L2
- L5 spinal nerve exits between L4 and S1

Question 6

Peripheral Nerves

Answer 6

Ususally have a number of spinal contributers
- eg. the femoral nerve is comprised of fibers from L2, L3 and L4 to form plexi

Question 7

Brachial Plexus

Answer 7

For the upper extremity - a network of spinal nerve roots that mix together to become peripheral nerves in the arm
- Musculocutaneous nerve
- Radial nerve
- Median nerve
- Ulnar nerve

Question 8

Lumbo/Lumbo-sacral plexus

Answer 8

For the lower extremity - a network at spinal nerve roots that will mix togeher to become peripheral nerves in the legs
- Femoral nerve
- Obturator nerve
- Sciatic nerve (tibial nerve and common fibular/peroneal nerve)

Question 9

Musculocutaneous Nerve

Answer 9

Origin: C5 - C7
Runs: Anterior side of the arm just above the elbow
Impacts: Elbow flexion

Question 10

Radial Nerve

Answer 10

Origin: C5 - T1
Runs: Posterior side of the arm - crosses the elbow and continues down the posterior side of the forearm to the radial side of the hand
Impacts: extension of the elbow and wrist

Question 11

Median Nerve

Answer 11

Origin: C5 - T1
Runs: medial side of the arm - crosses the elbow and continues down the middle/anterior side of the forearm to the hand
Impacts: flexion of the wrist and hand of the first 3 fingers

Question 12

Ulnar Nerve

Answer 12

Origin: C7 - T1
Runs: Medial side of the arm - crosses the ulnar side of the elbow, continues down the anterior side of the forearm to the hand
Impacts: flexion of the wrist and hand (last 2 fingers)

Question 13

Femoral Nerve

Answer 13

Origin: L2 - L4
Runs: Through the pelvis, under the inguinal ligament, across the hip to the anterior compartment of the thigh
Impacts: flexion of the hip and extension of the knee

Question 14

Obturator Nerve

Answer 14

Origin: L2-L4
Runs: through the pelvis to the medial compartment of the thigh
Impacts: adduction of the hip

Question 15

Sciatic Nerve

Answer 15

Origin: L4 - S2
Runs: Out the posterior side of the pelvis, down the posterior side of the femur, then splits into 2 smaller nerves
- Tibial Nerve: continues down the posterior side of the leg to the calf (posterior compartment)
- Peroneal/common fibular Nerve: down the front of the calf (anterior and lateral compartments)
Impacts:
- Tibial Nerve: extension of the hip, flexion of the knee and plantarflexion of the ankle
- Common Fibular/peroneal Nerve: extension of the hip, flexion of the knee and dorsiflexion of the ankle