Overview of the Nervous System Flashcards
How many paired elements of the spinal cord are there?
31
How many of each vertebrae are there?
8 C 12 T 5 L 5 S 1 C
What is a segmental level?
Each spinal vertebrae
Where are there two enlargements? What is the purpose of these enlargements?
Cervical enlargement
thoracolumbar Enlargement
These are regions that allow a very large amount of neurons to pass in/out of the upper/lower limb
Conus Medullaris
Ill defined ‘cone’ where the TL enlargement transforms posteriorly into a tip. Here the spinal cord ends, around the level of L1/L2
Cauda Equina
a ‘horsetail’ of fibres that run from both the conus medullaris and TL enlargement.
Where in the subarachnoid space the largest?
Where it surround the cauda equine, in the lumbar region.
Where is the best olace to do a spinal puncture and why?
In the lower lumbar region where there is
a) a large subarachnoid space so lots of CSF and
b) here the spinal cord is in individual fibres of the ‘cauda equina’. The needle is far more likely to glance off and avoid damage to these fibres, unlike higher up, where the single SC could easily be pierced.
What are the three protective layers of the spinal cord
Pia Mater
Arachnoid Mater
Dura Mater
Pia Mater…
Tightly adhered to the spinal cord, can only be distinguished with a microscope. Stops fluid moving in/out of the spinal cord, acts as a seal
Arachnoid Mater
Shimmery, spider like, leaves a virtual subdural space as it lies against the dura mater
Dura Mater
‘hard mother’, thicker, tough protective layer. Provides resistance to injections. Is thicker posterior, as this region lacks the protect of the vertebral bodies
What is in the epidural space, and what is it’s clinical relevance
Between the spine and dura mater, the ED space contains, fat, veins and arteries. there are large deposits of fat, one at each level of the spinal cord, that are retained even at extremely low weights. This allows the veins to move up and down.
What would happen in relation to the epidural space if someone underwent huge weight loss
There would be a decrease in the fat pads, less protection for the veins and there could damage/tear. This could result in small bleeds, causing confusion and loss of consciousness
Sub arachnoid space
between pia-arachnoid mater. Contains CSF, that acts like a ‘cushion’ against impact. The CSF also ensure that the spinal cord is bathed in nutrients (glucose/salts). Has a few cells.
