Organisation of the spinal cord Flashcards
What three protective layers make up the meninges?
Dura mater, arachnoic mata and pia mater
Which layer surrounding the CNS contains blood vessels?
Pia mater
What space exists between the vertebral canal and the dura mater- what passes through here?
Epidural space.
Fatty layer where spinal nerves pass through
What space exists beneath the dura mater?
Subdural space
What space exists beneath the dura arachnoid? What does it contain
Subarachnoid space. Contains cerebral spinal fluid
Which space does lumbar punch go into and why?
Subarachnoid because it is taking a sample of cerebral spinal fluid
Define dorsal and ventral
Dorsal= posterior Ventral= anterior
What is the name for the white matter at the posterior spinal cord?
Dorsal funiculus
Describe structure of dorsal root ganglion
Thousands of cell bodies stacking on top of eachother cause a swelling. No synapsing at this location
What arteries mainly supply the spinal cord?
Vertebral arteries
What do the vertebral arteries form when they meet?
Basilar artery which travels to head
Anterior spinal artery
How does the anterior spinal artery travel?
Travels downwards through foramen magnum
Where do posterior spinal arteries travel?
Through vertebral foramen
How are spinal nerves named?
Cervical- named after one below. Elsewhere- named after one above
Why are there more cervical spinal nerves than cervical vertebrae?
First cervical nerve comes between skull and C1
What level does the spinal cord end in adults?
L2/L3
What is the conus medularis?
Point coming down from lumbar enlargement where the spinal cord tapers
What is the cauda equina?
Bundle of nerves at bottom of spinal cord which are stretched to their end point
What is the filum terminale?
Made up of glial elements and function is to anchor the spinal cord
Describe structure of cervical cross section (2)
large amounts of white matter
large ventral and dorsal horns
Describe structure of a thoracic cross section?
large amounts of white matter
lateral horn of grey
Describe structure of a lumbar cross section?
Little white matter
Large ventral and dorsal horns
Descibe structure of a sacral cross section?
Predominantly grey matter
Name the 3 ascending sensory tracts
Spinothalamic
Spinocerebellar
Dorsal column medial lemniscus
What is the function of the spinothalamic tract?
Sensory to crude touch, pain and temperature
What is the function of the dorsal column medial lemniscus?
Sensory to discriminative touch, vibration and proprioception.
What body parts do the fasciculus cuneatus and fasciculus gracilis cover?
Cuneatus= upper limb Gracilis= lower limb
What is the function of the spinocerebellar tract?
Subconcious proprioception- stretch, position of joints etc.
What is the function of the corticospinal?
Motor tract
Which of the tracts doesn’t cross the midline?
Spinocerebellar
