Neuroanatomy Flashcards
The vertebral column is made up of
a. 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae
b. 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae
c. 7 cervical, 10 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae
d. 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 4 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae
b - 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae
The uppermost spinous process that is palpable is that of the:
a. 6th cervical vertebra
b. 5th cervical vertebra
c. 7th cervical vertebra
d. you cannot palpate any spinous process
c - 7th cervical vertebra
The highest point of the iliac crest is in line with the interval between which spines?
a. L2-L3
b. L3-L4
c. L4-L5
d. L5-L6
b - L3-L4
The first cervical vertebra is known as the
a. axis
b. atlas
c. athras
d. athrus
b - atlas
Which of these is NOT a characteristic feature of the general cervical vertebra
a. triangular vertebral foramen
b. bi-fid spinous process
c. transverse foramina
d. no vertebral body or spinous process
d - no vertebral body or spinous process (this is only a feature of atlas (c1))
The dens articulates with the anterior arch of atlas creating which joint to allow rotation of the head independently from the torso?
a. lateral atlanto-axial joint
b. medial atlanto-axial joint
c. medial axial joint
d. medial atlanto joint
b - medial atlanto-axial joint allows rotation of the head independently of the torso
Which of these ligaments are not present throughout the vertebral column
a. anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
b. ligamentum flavum
c. interspinous ligament
d. intervertebral ligament
d. intervertebral ligaments
- Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments - long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
- Ligamentum flavum - connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
- Interspinous ligament - connects spinous process of adjacent vertebrae
Ligaments unique to the cervical spine (2)
a. anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
b. nuchal ligament
c. transverse ligament of the atlas
d. ligamentum flavum
b & c = nuchal ligament & transverse ligament of the atlas
What structures pass through the transverse foramina (3)
a. vertebral artery
b. vertebral vein
c. sympathetic nerves
d. spinal artery
a,b,c
C7 has how many sets of spinal nerves extending from it
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
b - 2
Intervertebral discs contain a hydrated gel known as
a. annulus fibrosus
b. nucleus pulposus
c. annulus fibrosis
d. nucleus fibrosis
b - nucleus pulposus
What is herniation of the intervertebral disc?
What structure can become compressed?
Herniation of the intervertebral discs occurs when the nucleus of the disc is no longer inside the annulus and instead bulges out into the spinal canal/intervertebral foramen.
It can compress the spinal nerve running through the intervertebral foramen
Sciatica is compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve which runs from
a. L5
b. L6
c. L4
d. L7
a - L5 through pelvis and down the back of each leg
What are the signs and symptoms of sciatic nerve compression?
- Pain radiating down the buttock, into the leg down to the calf.
- Weakness in dorsiflexion causes foot drop - abnormal gait.
At what level does the spinal cord typically end?
a. L2
b. L1
c. L3
d. T12
b - L1 (conus medullaris)
Name the 5 muscles of the posterior abdominal wall
- iliacus
- psoas major
- psoas minor
- quadratus lumborum
- diaphragm
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
a. 32
b. 33
c. 31
d. 30
c - 31
8 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral 1 coccygeal
The dorsal root of the spinal cord carries sensory or motor fibres?
Sensory from periphery to CNS
The ventral (anterior) room of the spinal cord carries motor or sensory fibres?
Motor efferent fibres from the CNS to the body
Where is the decussation location of the spinothalamic tract?
a. medulla
b. spinal cord
c. pons
b - spinal cord
Where is the decussation location of the lateral coticospinal tract?
a. spinal cord
b. pons
c. medulla
c - medulla
A needle is inserted in the subarachnoid space between what vertebra to perform a lumbar puncture?
a. L2-L3
b. L3-L4
c. L4-L5
b - L3-L4 (between the highest point of the iliac crest on both sides)
What are the 2 primary functions of the cerebellum?
- Adjusting postural movements of the body (co-ordinates rapid autonomic adjustments to maintain balance and equilibrium)
- Fine tuning of movements at the conscious and subconscious level (refining movements and learnt patterns such as riding a bike and makes movements smooth)
The primary fissure in the cerebellum separates what from what?
The anterior from posterior lobes
What is the vermis? What does it do?
Lies along the mid line of the cerebellum and separates the cerebellar hemispheres. Controls the subconscious positioning of the body, particularly trunk muscles.
What does the tentorium cerebella separate?
Cerebellum from cerebrum
The ‘arbor vitae’ in the cerebellum connects what?
The cerebellar cortex and the cerebellar peduncles
What are the 3 lobes of the cerebellum?
anterior
posterior
flocculonodular
Blood supply to the cerebellum
superior, anterior-inferior and posterior-inferior cerebellar arteries.
What are the 3 cerebellar peduncles and where do they connect?
- Superior cerebellar peduncle
- links the cerebellum with the nuclei in the midbrain, diencephalon and cerebrum
- Middle cerebellar peduncle
- carries communication between the cerebellum and the pons
- Inferior cerebellar peduncle
- links the cerebellum with the medulla oblongata and spinal cord
If a patient presented with ataxia and not being able to stand or sit without assistance, what area of the brain would you think is affected?
Cerebellum
What is the dentate nucleus? What is it important for?
Largest deep cerebellar nuclei without output branches going towards the superior cerebellar peduncle. It is important for the planning, initiation and control of movement.
Which tract transmits information on pain and temperature sensation?
Lateral spinothalamic tract
Which tract transmits information on pressure and crude touch?
Ventral spinothalamic
Which tract transmits information regarding vibration, proprioception and 2 point discrimination?
Dorsal columns