Neuro - Spinal Cord

Question 1

Name the 3 funiculi of the spinal cord.

Answer 1

• posterior funiculus
• lateral funiculus
• anterior funiculus

Question 2

Name the four sulci.

Answer 2

• posterior median sulcus
• posterior intermediate sulcus
• posterolateral sulcus
• anterolateral sulcus

Question 3

What is the caudal extent of the posterior intermediate sulcus?

Answer 3

posterior intermediate sulcus only extends to level T6 so that is the caudal extent

Question 4

What 2 bundles of fibers are separated by the posterior intermediate sulcus?

Answer 4

• fasciculus gracilis

- fasciculus cuneatus

Question 5

Name the cord levels between which the lateral horn is found.

Answer 5

T1-L2

Question 6

Name the two structures that stabilize the spinal cord within the vertebral canal.

Answer 6

• denticulate ligaments - extend from the cord through the arachnoid to the dura
• spinal nerves - anchor the cord in the vertebral canal

Question 7

Name the sensory function modulated by Lamina II.

Answer 7

pain (substantia gelatinosa)

Question 8

In what direction are the impulses traveling that are found in the posterior root? In the anterior root? In the spinal nerve?

Answer 8

• posterior root - carries sensory signals toward the cord
• anterior root - carries motor signals away from the cord
• spinal nerve - carries signals toward and away from the cord

Question 9

What is the posterior root ganglion?

Answer 9

found along the posterior root; contains the neuron cell bodies of the nerve fibers that make up the posterior root

Question 10

What part of the body (soma) is served by the nerve fibers that make up the posterior ramus? The anterior ramus?

Answer 10

• posterior ramus - serves posterior aspect of the body

- anterior ramus - serves anterior aspect of the body

Question 11

Are the anterior and posterior rami sensory in function? Motor in function?

Answer 11

The anterior and posterior rami are both sensory and motor in function since they carry fibers from the posterior and anterior roots.

Question 12

Why are the communicating rami described in terms of colors (gray and white)? What function do these rami serve?

Answer 12

• gray matter is made up of neuron cell bodies
• white matter is made up of myelinated axons
• the gray and white communicating rami contain autonomic fibers and branch off the spinal nerve at T1-L2

Question 13

Name the nerve fibers that make up the cauda equina.

Answer 13

posterior and anterior roots; occupies the lumbar cistern

Question 14

Name the vertebral level that marks the caudal extent of the conus medullaris.

Answer 14

the caudal cone-shaped end of the spinal cord; extends to the L1-L2 interspace

Question 15

Name the tissue that makes up the denticulate ligaments.

Answer 15

pia and arachnoid

Question 16

Name the tissue that makes up the filum terminale.

Answer 16

pia and arachnoid that extend from the conus medullaris which is eventually encased in dura

Question 17

What is contained within the lumbar cistern?

Answer 17

cauda equina and cerebrospinal fluid, along with the filum terminale

Question 18

Name the embryological origin of the nucleus pulposus and the clinical significance of this structure.

Answer 18

• nucleus pulposus is a remnant of the notochord

- nucleus herniates through the break in the annulus fibrosus and puts pressure on nearby nerve fibers