Neuro: Spinal cord anatomy and organization

Question 1

look at pictures

Answer 1

look at powerpoints!!!`

Question 2

what does anterior spinal artery supply?

Answer 2

anterior funiculus, gray matter of ventral columns and lateral funiculsus

Question 3

what does posterior spinal artery supply?

Answer 3

covers posterior funiculus and dorsal columns

Question 4

characteristics of gray segment?

Answer 4

round, mostly gray matter compared to white, but very little gray overall. very little white.

This is because the sacral spinal cord doesn’t have very much to innervate

Question 5

lumbosacral enlargement slice?

Answer 5

enlarged horns/gray matter
round shape
relatively little white matter (mostly motor neurons)
innervates entire lower limbs, thus needs large ventral horns

Question 6

thoracic slice?

Answer 6

very little gray matter, lots of white matter because it contains all of the descending tracts.

• lateral horn: seen in T1-L2
• dorsal nucleus of clark are dark spots seen in center that make it look like a little owl

Question 7

cervical enlargement

Answer 7

enlarged dorsal and ventral horns
oval shape
substantial white matter (lots of tracts running down)

Question 8

in ventral horn where are flexors/extensors and proximal/distal located?

Answer 8

• flexors are posterior in ventral horn, extensors are anterior
• proximal limb musculature is more medial, distal limb musculature is more lateral

Question 9

fasciculus cuneatus

Answer 9

• primary affarents that carry somatosensation from the UL

- located in posterior funiculus (more lateral)

Question 10

fasciculus gracilus

Answer 10

• primary affarents that carry somatosensation from LL (they are medially located in posterior funiculus)- dorsal columns

Question 11

anterolateral system

Answer 11

• anterior/lateral funiculus
• ascending axons from 2/3/4th order neurons. These axons carry somatosensation from contralateral side
• becomes larger as you ascend the spinal cord.

Question 12

spinocerebellar tracts

Answer 12

• located in lateral funiculus
• carry secondary or tertiary neurons. won’t be consciously aware of this information because the neurons are headed for the cerebellum.

Question 13

corticospinal tract

Answer 13

located in lateral funiculus

• carries descending UMN’s
• the final synapse for these neurons is in the ventral horn on LMNs

Question 14

in ventral horn where are flexors/extensors and proximal/distal located?

Answer 14

• flexors are posterior in ventral horn, extensors are anterior
• proximal limb musculature is more medial, distal limb musculature is more lateral

Question 15

fasciculus cuneatus

Answer 15

• primary affarents that carry somatosensation from the UL

- located in posterior funiculus (more lateral)

Question 16

fasciculus gracilus

Answer 16

• primary affarents that carry somatosensation from LL (they are medially located in posterior funiculus)- dorsal columns

Question 17

anterolateral system

Answer 17

• anterior/lateral funiculus
• ascending axons from 2/3/4th order neurons. These axons carry somatosensation from contralateral side
• becomes larger as you ascend the spinal cord.

Question 18

spinocerebellar tracts

Answer 18

• located in lateral funiculus
• carry secondary or tertiary neurons. won’t be consciously aware of this information because the neurons are headed for the cerebellum.

Question 19

corticospinal tract

Answer 19

located in lateral funiculus

• carries descending UMN’s
• the final synapse for these neurons is in the ventral horn on LMNs

Question 20

What does brainstem contain?

Answer 20

continuation of SC

• performs SC-like fxns in head
• gives rise to all cranial nn.
• initial processing for sensory from head
• LMN’s for muscles of the head
• maintains vital reflexes
• relays info to and from the cerebellum

Question 21

what are 3 general fns. of brain stem?

Answer 21

• conduit fn: get info from SC to cerebral cortex
• cranial n. fns.
• integrative fns (vital reflexes and central pattern generators)

Question 22

what is contained in tegmentum?

Answer 22

(floor of fourth ventricle)

• reticular formation
• CN nuclei (LMN’s)
• tracts

Question 23

look over cross section pictures

Answer 23

do it nowwww!

Question 24

how do you tell between rostral and caudal medulla?

Answer 24

• rostral medulla is open

- caudal medulla is closed

Question 24

how do you tell between rostral and caudal medulla?

Answer 24

• rostral medulla is open

- caudal medulla is closed