Neuro: Chapter 2; Structural and Functional Organization Flashcards
What protects the Spinal cord?
Vertebral column, vertebral ligaments, meninges and cerebrospinal fluid
What are the 3 layers of the meninges?
Dura mater, Arachnoid mater and Pia Mater
Where is the subarachnoid space located in the meninges?
Between the Arachnoid mater and pia mater and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid
How long is the spinal cord and where does it extend from?
16 to 18 inches
From the medulla oblongata to the second lumbar vertebra
Which two grooves divide the spinal cord into 2 hemispheres?
Anterior Median Fissure
Posterior Median Sulcus
In the spinal cord, where is the white and gray matter located?
White matter surrounds a “H shaped” gray matter
How many pairs of nerves are in the spinal cord?
31 pairs
What are 2 bundles of axons that connect each spinal nerve to a segment of the cord?
Roots
Which root contains sensory axons which conduct nerve impulses from sensory receptors (afferent)?
Posterior Dorsal Root
Which root contains axons of motor neurons (autonomic and somatic) which conduct nerve impulses from the CNS to the effectors (efferent)?
Anterior Ventral Root
What is the function of white matter in the spinal cord?
Serves as highways for nerve impulses
What is the function of gray matter in the spinal cord?
receives and integrates incoming and outgoing information and is a site for integration of reflexes
How many regions is the gray matter subdivided into?
3 subdivisions, left and right;
Anterior, Posterior and Lateral Horns
Which horn contains cell bodies and axons of interneurons as well as axons of incoming sensory neurons?
Posterior Horn
Which horn contains cell bodies of somatic motor neurons that provide impulses for contraction of muscles?
Anterior Ventral Horn
Which horn is only present in the thoracic and upper lumber segments and contains cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons?
Lateral gray horn
Which matter contains neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, axon terminals and neuroglia?
Gray Matter
Which matter consists of myelinated axons and is organized into columns?
White Matter
Which tract in the white matter consists of axons that conduct nerve impulses toward the brain?
Sensory Tract (ascending)
Which tract in the white matter consists of axons that conduct nerve impulses away from the brain?
Motor tract (descending)
What has a fast involuntary sequence of actions in response to stimuli?
Reflexes
What are the 2 types of reflexes?
- Spinal Reflex: Simple (reflex arc) (patellar reflex)
2. Cranial Reflex: Simple, occurs in the brainstem (gag reflex)
Which system are the spinal nerves a part of?
Peripheral Nervous System
How are the 31 pairs of spinal nerves broken down?
8 pairs of cervical 12 pairs of thoracic 5 pairs of lumbar 5 pairs of sacral 1 pair of coccyx
How are the spinal nerves connected to the spinal cord?
Anterior (motor) and posterior (sensory) roots
What are the individual axons wrapped in?
Endoneurium
What are groups of axons arranged in?
Bundles called Fascicles
What are the Fascicles wrapped in?
Perineurium
What is the entire nerve wrapped in?
Epineurium
Many spinal nerve branches join axons from adjacent nerves to form networks called?
Plexuses
What parts of the body does the cervical plexus supply?
Posterior head, neck and upper part of the shoulder and the diaphragm
(C3, C4, and C5)
What nerve is responsible for innervating the diaphragm to contract?
Phrenic Nerve
What parts of the body does the Brachial plexus supply?
Upper Limbs, Some neck and shoulder muscles
C5 to T1
What parts of the body does the Lumbar plexus supply?
Abdominal wall, external genitals, and parts of the lower limbs
(L1-L4)
What parts of the body does the Sacral plexus supply?
Buttocks, Perineum, and most of the lower limbs
L4-S4
What structures protect the brain?
Cranium (skull) Cranial Meninges (Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater)
How much of the body’s oxygen supply does the brain require?
20%
How long can a brain be deprived of oxygen before it leads to permanent damage?
4 or more mins
What structure is a circulatory anastomosis taht supplies blood to brain and surrounding structures?
Circle of Willis