Nervous System Part 4a - Spinal Cord Flashcards
what is the spinal cord?
an extension from the brain stem (medulla oblongata) which comes down from the skull, which then exits through the foremen magnum in the occipital bone. the spinal cord then progresses down all the way to L2
what does the spinal cord travel through?
the vertebral canal which is formed by all the vertebral foramens in the vertebral bones
what layers is the spinal cord surrounded by?
the same protective layers as the brain
- dura mater
- arachnoid mater
- pia mater
- subarachnoid space between arachnoid and pia mater and then cerebral spinal fluid within the subarachnoid space for buoyancy, protection and nourishment
where is there a pair of spinal nerves?
at each vertebral layer
- C1-Coccyx
- 31 pairs in total
where does the actual structure of the spinal cord end?
L2
what is at the bottom of the actual spinal cord?
a cone shape called the ‘conus medullaris’ at L2
if the spinal cord only goes to L2, what goes to S2 of the vertebral column?
the dura mater, arachnoid mater and the subarachnoid space
what does down the full way of the spinal cord?
the pia mater
where does the pia mater terminate?
after the spinal nerve pairs
- called the filum terminale
- NOTE: the pia mater is directly beside/attached to the spinal cord
where does the filum terminale run from?
L2-Coccyx1
- acts as an anchor
what is the cauda equina?
a bundle of nerve roots located at the lower end of the spinal cord, resembling a horse’s tail
- spinal nerves that came off right at the bottom of the spinal cord but have not gotten to there vertebral exit point yet
- swim around in the CSF
what is a spinal tap?
when a sample is taken of cerebral spinal fluid from the subarachnoid space
what is spinal anaesthesia?
when we give medication by injection into the subarachnoid space
