Neuroanatomy Practical 4: Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves Flashcards
Where does the subarachnoid space terminate superiorly?
Lateral to the Superior Sagittal Sinus
Which level, approximately, is the cervical enlargement located?
C6/C7
What type of information is carried in the spinothalamic tract?
Pain
Temperature
Touch
When do the fibres running through the dorsal column pathway cross the midline?
After they have passed through the C/GC
When does the fibres running through the spinothalamic tract cross the midline?
Immediately after they enter the spinal cord
Where does the epidural space end inferiorly?
sacral hiatus at the level of S4
Which of the pathways runs ipsilaterally and which runs contralaterally in the cord?
Spino: contra laterally
Dorsal: ipsilaterally
Where do dorsal and ventral roots unite to form the spinal nerves?
Intervertebral foramen of the vertebra number below unless in the cervical region
Where does the epidural space end superiorly?
Foramen magnum
Which of the following carries sympathetic fibres back to spinal nerves?
Grey Rami Communicans
White Rami Communicans
Grey
Where does the spinal cord terminate in the adult?
L1/L2
What is the dorsal rami of the spinal nerve?
First branch off the dorsal side of the spinal nerve
Mixed nerve
Motor: deep muscles in the back
Sensory: general sense and proprioceptive sense from muscles, tendons and joints
What surface landmarks would you use to determine the point to insert the needle during a lumbar puncture?
Posterior tip of spinous process in line with the ASIS
Name three conditions where the composition of the CSF is altered?
Meningitis
Encephalitis
SA Haemorrhage
Tumours
CJD
etc
What type of information is carried by the dorsal column pathway?
Touch
Vibration
Position
What is the ventral rami of the spinal nerve?
The first branch off the ventral side of the spinal nerve
Mixed nerve
Motor: skeletal muscle of neck, trunk and extremities
Sensory: skin of trunk and extremities. Proprioceptive sense from muscles, tendons and joints between T1-L2
What does the SA space contain?
CSF
What is the functional difference between the dorsal and ventral nerve roots?
Ventral - Motor
Dorsal - Sensory
Where does the subarachnoid space terminate inferiorly?
S2
What other structure terminates at the inferior termination level of the subarachnoid space?
Lumbar cistern
How are sympathetic fibres connected to the spinal nerves?
Via white and grey rami communicans
Where is the most common site from which CSF is sampled?
Lumbar cistern
What determines whether the fibres ascend in the gracile or the cuneate fascicle?
Origin above or below T6
Which level, approximately, is the lumbar enlargement?
T11
