Q&A Back Flashcards
What are the two major parts of the typical vertebra
Body and arch
List the seven processes of a typical vertebra
1: Spine, 2: Transverse processes, 4: articular (2 cranial 2 caudal)
Where do the spinal nerves leave the vertebral column
intervertebral foramen
What is formed by all of the vertebral foramina of all the vertebrae
Vertebral Canal
What is the laminae of the vertebrae
Roof (top of arch) of vertebral foramen
What is the ineracuate space
Dorsal gap between adjacent arches
With what does the atlas C1 articulate
Occipital condyles of skull
What are the large lateral masses of the atlas
wings of the atlas
What peg-like process on the axis forms a pivot articulation with the atlas
Dens
What is the large ventral projection of the sixth cervical vertebrae
Transverse process (sled)
What joint is formed by the atlas of the skull
Atlanto-occipital joint (yes joint)
The articulation of the axis with the atlas is known as the ____ joint
Atlantoaxial joint (no joint)
Name the fibrocartilage between the bodies of adjacent vertebra
intervertebral disc
What are the two parts of the intervertebral disc
Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus
What elastic connective tissue structure attaches the 1st thoracic spine to the spine of the axis C2 in the dog
Nuchal ligament, none in cat
What elastic tissue fills the dorsal space (inerarcuate space) between the arches of adjacent veterebra
Ligamentum flavum, interarcuate, or yellow ligament
What connects the heads of a pair of opposite ribs, crossing the dorsal part of the intervertebral discs
Intercapital ligament
What are the two paired strapped muscles of the neck
Sternohyoideus & Sternothyroideus mm.
Name the muscle extending from the sternum to the head
sternocephalicus m.
what forms “envelops” around the muscles of the neck
Deep fascia of the neck
What muscles are above the transverse processes of the vertebra
Epaxial mm.
Name the two major epaxial muscles of the back
Iliocostalis & longissimus mm.
What muscles are below the transverse processes of the vertebra
Hypaxial m
What is the hypaxial muscle in the neck and cranial thorax
Longus coli
What is the main hypaxial/ sub lumbar muscle of the abdomen
Psoas major m
Where is the common carotid artery located
Beside the trachea in the carotid sheath
What glandular structure are under the omotransversarius muscle just cranial to the shoulder
Superficial cervical lymph node
List the two important structures enclosed in the carotid sheath
Common carotid and vagosympathetic trunk
Where is the esophagus located in the middle of the neck
on the left
What is the gland just caudal to the larynx on the trachea
thyroid gland
What is the part of the hyoid apparatus crossing the midline
basihyoid bone
Name the five divisions of the spinal cord
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, caudal
What are the ascending and defending tracks of the spinal cord and what do they carry
Ascending: sensory information
Descending: upper motor neurons, motor information
Where does the spinal cord end in a dog? cat? human?
Dog: L6 (6-7) Cats: S1-S3 Human: L2
Ventral beaches of the spinal nerves interlace to form ___.
Plexuses
What nerves travels along the dorsal border of the omotransversarius muscle
Accessory n. (CN 11)
What plexus supplies some of the extrinsic and all of the intrinsic muscles of the thoracic limb
brachial
Plexuses are formed by the ventral branches of spinal nerves in every region except which
Thorax (except T1-2)= intercostal nn.
The ventral branches of the thoracic nerves T3-L3 do not form a plexus, but pass in the intercostal spaces as _____ nerves
Intercostal nn.
What plexuses supplies the abdominal wall, pelvic limb, external genitalia, rump, and perineum
lumbosacral plexus
What forms the spinal nerve? into what do spinal nerves divide
Roots (dorsal and ventral ), branches (dorsal and ventral )
How do spinal nerves leave the vertebral canal
intervertebral foramen
What spinal nerve branches supply sensation from the skin of the abdominal wall
Dorsal: upper flank (including area below transverse processes), ventral: rest
What are the 6 major regions of the spinal cord
- Cranial Cervical (C1-C5)
- Cervical enlargement (C6-T1)
- Thoracic & Cranial lumbar (T2-L3)
- Sacral (S2-3)
- Caudal (Ca1-5)
What does the sacral region of the spinal cord supply
reflex control of urination, dedication, sexual reflexes, and parasympathetic outflow
What is the function of proprioceptive fibers
Sense position of body parts to each other & to environment
Over what structures do proprioceptive fibers travel
Peripheral nn., spinal cord, brain stem to cerebellum, and cerebrum
What is a dermatome? autonomous zone?
Area of skin innervated by a nerve, only 1 spinal n. respectively
What are upper and lower motor neurons
LMN: leave CNS as peripheral nerves
UMN: in CNS, affect LMN
What is the function of most UMN
inhibit spontaneous activity of LMN until action is desired
LMN’S are _____ _____ without the input of UMN
spontaneously active
list the meninges from outer to inner
Dura matter, arachnoid, and Pia Matter
List the spaces that are related to the meninges
- Epidural: between dura mater & periosteum
- Subdural: potential space between the dura mater and the arachnoid
- Subarachnoid space: between the pia and the arachnoid
What is the enlargement of the subarachnoid space between the medulla oblongata and cerebellum
Cisterna Magna (cerebellomedullary cistern)
What fills the gap between the dorsal edge of the foramen magnum and the atlas
Dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane
What is the unpaired artery running longitudinally on the vertebral canal floor in the ventral median fissure the length of the spinal cord
Ventral spinal artery
What are the paired thin walled, valveless vessels on the vertebral canal floor in the epidural space from the skull to the caudal vertebrae
internal vertebral venous plexus
What are the vessels located on the ventral surface of the tail
Median caudal artery and vein
How are the dorsal and ventral edges of the vertebral canal checked in back radiographs
check for the alignment, they should be two straight lines without step defects
What should be evaluated in the area of the axis and atlas
The dens (odontoid process), it should be present and held in the ventral vertebral canal
Describe the appearance of the intervertebral foramen (consider windows of the spinal cord)
Look like snoopy’s little bird buddy woodstock or a horse head profile
How are the intervertebral foramen compared in back radiographs
For differences due to disc space differences
What is the landmark in a lateral film of the caudal neck
“SLEDS” or transverse process of C6
How does a myelogram appear
Subarachnoid space lights up = two white lines (columns) separated by a space (the invisible spinal cord)
What may narrowing of the intervertebral space indicate
protruded disc
What is the myelogram finding for Intradural lesion
Widening of subarachnoid space, +- expanded cord/thinned columns in other view
What is the myelogram finding for Intramedullary lesion
Expanded cord/thinned columns in all views
What is the disease of the cervical vertebrae in large breeds causing stenosis of the vertebral canal resulting in ataxia
Cervical Sponylomyelopathy, canine wobbler disease
What is excessive ventral lumbar curvature
Lordosis (sway back)
What is an excessive thoracic curvature
Kyphosis (hunchback in humans)
What is the lateral curvature to the spine
Scoliosis
What is the clinical problem would a fractured dens cause
Spinal cord injury
What is the removal of the right or left dorsal vertebral arch (lamina) to relieve pressure in the spinal canal
Hemilaminectomy
What is a hemivertebra
Wedge-shaped vertebrae resulting in severe angulation to the spine in thoracolumbar area
Define and give another name for wobblers disease
Cervicalspondylomyelopathy: cervical spinal cord compression
What are seen radiographically with spondylosis
Spurs: osteophytes intervertrebral spaces
Bridges: ankylose vertebrae
What is diskospondylitis
Infection of the IV discs and adjacent vertebrae
What is another name for vertebral osteomyelitis/ vertebral abscess
Spondylitis
What is spina bifida
Failure of 1 more vertebrae arches to close
To what is the atlantoaxial subluxation due
Absence, malformation, failure to ossify or insufficient ligamentous support of the dens, rupture of ligaments of dens or fracture of dens
What is instability of C1-C2 joint
Atlantoaxial subluxation
What does atlantoaxial subluxation cause
Compression of spinal cord due to dorsal displacement of dens results in cervical pain (hyperesthesia) and motor dysfunction
Basically what are the two types of intervertebral disease
Type 1: disc rupture
Type 2: disc bulging
A slipped disc results when the soft ____ ____ is squeezed to one side of the disc, causing the firm ____ ____ to protrude and possibly rupture
- Nucleus pulposa
- annulus fibrosis
what can a slipped disc protruding into the vertebral canal compress
Spinal nerves or spinal cord itself
where is the annulus fibrosis the thinnest
Dorsally
Why don’t intervertebral disc commonly impinge on nerves in the most of the thoracic region
protection of the inter capital ligament
Where is the rupture of an intervertebral disc common
thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2)
What is the removal of remaining nucleus pulpous from a ruptured disc
disc fenestration
What is the surgery for cervical disc disease
Ventral decompression through the longs coli muscle to remove extruded disc
What is the surgery for thoracolumbar disc disease
Dorsal laminectomy/hemilaminectomy and fenestration (remove nucleus pulposus)
What is atlantoaxial subluxation/instability
Instability of C1-C2 joint due to dens problems
How would you place a tube for an emergency tracheostomy/tracheotomy
Skin incision in the ventral neck, separate the strap mm, cut between the cartilages of the trachea, insert tube
Why can a broken neck result in respiratory paralysis
Phrenic nerve to diaphragm arises from brachial and cervical plexus
What is a trans tracheal wash
injection and aspiration of material into and from the trachea for lab work
What are common locations for esophageal foreign bodies
Esophageal opening, thoracic inlet, over the base of the heart, & in front of the diaphragm
how should you feel about doing an esophagostomy
always avoid when possible as esophagus heals poorly and strictures are common
what can facilitate the spread of an infection from the neck to the thorax
fascial planes
how are the deeper structures reached relatively free from bleeding
use fascial planes as cleavage planes
describe hoe subcutaneous injection is given into the back
tent the skin at junction of the neck and back and slip the needle in the subcutaneous tissue
describe tenting of the skin to access dehydration of a patient
pull the skin over the shoulders. Well hydrated: skin should immediately, smoothly return
Dehydrated: remains tented for a period
What is a myelogram
injecting contrast medium into the subarachnoid space and radiographing
describe how a spinal tap or a myelogram is done with a spinal needle
Flex neck
- palpate: wings (atlas), spine (axis), and external occipital protuberance
- Needle: midline 1/2’’ cranial to line between wings, parallel to the caudal skull
- Feel “pop” (dorsal atlanto-occipital ligament) and immediately stop
- Pull out stylet and look for CSF fluid in the hub =right place
- If hit bone, pull out and start again or walk needle off bone into the space
- CSF tap: collect CSF for analysis
- myelogram: collect CSF for analysis then inject contrast medium
Where are CSF taps performed
cisterna magna or lumbar cistern
Where is a lumbar CSF tap or myelogram performed in the dog and cat
L5-6 or forward or back one space
What are the landmarks used for cerebrospinal fluid taps at the atlanto-occipital junction
wings of the atlas, external occipital protuberance, and spine of the axis
Describe doing a thoracolumbar myelogram of CSF (spinal tap)
Needle between L5-6 spines
-through yellow ligament into spinal canal
midline critical
-through canal through vertebrae
-withdraw needle a little (mm) into ventral subarachnoid space
-remove stylet to see CSF in hub if correct
-CSF tap: collect
-Myelogram: collect CSF, then inject contrast
Where is epidural anesthesia given
through lumbrosacral space into epidural space
what is the lumbrosacral space
interarcurate space between last lumbar vertebrae (L7) and sacrum
Describe procedure for a epidural in the dog
Thumb & third finger on cranial end of sacral tuberosities
- paloate space between last lumbar spinous process (L7) and sacrum
- needle perpendicular “pop” through yellow ligament into epidural space
what are the clinical signs of meningitis
cervical rigidity (due to pain) fever, and lameness
what is the term for meningitis associated with inflammation of the underlying spinal cord
menigomyelitis
How do lumbar, sacral, and caudal spinal cord segments and the vertebrae relate?
they don’t correlate with the vertebrae of same number caudal to L4
Why is it important to know relationship btwn lumbar spinal cord segments and the vertebrae the overlie?
to localize spinal cord lesions
What is an easy way to remember where spinal cord segments lie in relationship to the vertebrae of the same number?
L3 over vertebrae L3
sacral segments over 5th vertebrae in DOG, sacrum in CAT
Where is the lesion if proprioception is lost?
peripheral nerve spinal cord brain stem cerebrum cerebellum ANYWHERE!
Does loss of proprioception localize the lesion?
No, but a sensitive indication of neurological problem
How is proprioception evaluated clinically?
postural reactions ie knuckle paw
Describe proprioceptive placing reaction in the dog/cat.
placing the animal’s weight on its dorsal paw should result in immediate adjustment to normal placement
How can knowing the spinal segments innervating myotomes and dermatomes be used clinically?
used to localize lesions
Why should you palpate the entire body’s muscles?
check for muscle atrophy (head and limbs)
Why is a patellar tap preformed in a physical exam?
test reflex arc of pelvic limb
What easy, reliable reflexes are tested for peripheral reflex arcs?
patellar tap
anal spincter
tail tone
withdrawal reflex
How is the withdrawal reflex tested in a screening physical?
pinch toes of all 4 limbs
Where does gait deficits without “head signs” localize the lesion?
To spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or diffuse muscular lesion.
What is the term for weakness?
paresis
What is complete to partial loss of voluntary motor activity?
paralysis and paresis
What suffixes are used to describe paresis and paralysis, respectively?
paresis, -plegia
Define monoparesis or monoplegia.
only one limb involved
Define hemiparesis or hemiplegia
both limbs on one side affected
Define tetraparesis/quadraparesis or tetraplegia/quadriplegia
all 4 limbs involved
Define paraparesis or paraplegia:
only the pelvic limbs are involved
What is the effect of UMN damage on LMN?
LMNs increase activity
What localizes a lesion to the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or segment of brain stem LMNs arise from.
LMN signs
What is the memory aid for LMN signs?
Pointing your thumb down= everything decreased or dissappears
List 4 LMN signs.
- decreased or absent muscle tone (hypotonia to atonia)
- decreased to absent reflexes (hyporeflexia to areflexia)
- flaccid paralysis
- rapid atrophy (neurogenic, 1 week)
List 4 UMN signs.
- normal to increased muscle tone (hypertonia)
- normal to increased reflexes ( hyperreflexia)
- spastic paresis to paralysis
- slow atrophy
What is Shiff-Sherrington syndrome?
hyperextension of forelimbs with lesions to the thoracic spinal cord T3-L3
Localize the lesion: UMN signs pelvic limbs, LMN signs to thoracic limb
C6-T1 area 2
Localize the lesion : UMN to all limbs
C1-C5 area 1
localize the lesion : UMN to left pelvic, normal thoracic
T3- L3 area 3 on left
Localize the lesion: UMN signs to pelvic limb, hyperextended thoracic limbs
T3- L3 area 3 + Shiff-Sherington
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
C1-5 spinal cord area 1
No LMN signs to either limb. UMN and loss of proprioception to all 4 limbs
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
Cervical enlargement C6-T2 area 2
LMN and loss of proprioception to thoracic limb
UMN and loss of proprioception to pelvic limb
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
T3-L3 area 3
Normal thoracic limb +/- Shiff-Sherrington
UMN and loss of proprioception to pelvic limb
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
L4-S1 area 4
No effect on thoracic limb
LMN and loss of proprioception to pelvic limb
What do ascending sensory/afferent tracts carry?
Sensory information including superficial and deep pain and proprioception
What is indicated if a toe pinch elicits a withdrawal of a limb but no behavioral change?
Spinal cord or brain stem lesion cranial to reflex center
What type of prognostic sign is loss of deep pain?
bad prognostic sign
What is usually the first sign in spinal cord compression?
loss of proprioception
Localize the lesion: loss of proprioception in the pelvic limb, normal thoracic limb proprioception.
btwn T1 and S1
What is the cutaneous trunci (panniculus) reflex?
normal reflex: contraction of cutaneous trunci m. in response to pin prick of trunk
What is the pathway of the panniculus reflex?
sensation of skin of trunk over thoracic and lumbar spinal nn. to spinal cord, up cord to lateral thoracic nerve (C8) and out to cutaneous trunci m.
Clinically what is the panniculus response used to evaluate?
level of thoracic spinal cord damage
Where is the spinal cord damage if the panniculus response is absent caudal to the level of the 10 thoracic vertebrae?
level of T8
Where are the dermatomes of the cutaneous trunci response located?
1 or 2 vertebrae caudal to level of innervating cord segment
What vessel is often used to bleed cattle?
median caudal vein
What is the second most common place for venipuncture in the dog?
jugular vein
Why, unlike in the large species is the external jugular hard to puncture in dogs and cats?
not held in the jugular groove so moves
Why is the jugular vein often used preferentially in venipuncture?
saves easier cephalic vein for ER
What is the sight for CSF puncture to obtain fluid from cisterna magna.
Where the line across the cranial end of the wings of the atlas crosses the midline.
What is significant about the middle location of the cervical vertebrae?
creates a triangle of muscles above that can be used for IM injections in large animals
What is the disease of the cervical vertebrae in large breeds causing stenosis of the vertebral canal resulting in ataxia
Cervical Sponylomyelopathy, canine wobbler disease
What is excessive ventral lumbar curvature
Lordosis (sway back)
What is an excessive thoracic curvature
Kyphosis (hunchback in humans)
What is the lateral curvature to the spine
Scoliosis
What is the clinical problem would a fractured dens cause
Spinal cord injury
What is the removal of the right or left dorsal vertebral arch (lamina) to relieve pressure in the spinal canal
Hemilaminectomy
What is a hemivertebra
Wedge-shaped vertebrae resulting in severe angulation to the spine in thoracolumbar area
Define and give another name for wobblers disease
Cervicalspondylomyelopathy: cervical spinal cord compression
What are seen radiographically with spondylosis
Spurs: osteophytes intervertrebral spaces
Bridges: ankylose vertebrae
What is diskospondylitis
Infection of the IV discs and adjacent vertebrae
What is another name for vertebral osteomyelitis/ vertebral abscess
Spondylitis
What is spina bifida
Failure of 1 more vertebrae arches to close
To what is the atlantoaxial subluxation due
Absence, malformation, failure to ossify or insufficient ligamentous support of the dens, rupture of ligaments of dens or fracture of dens
What is instability of C1-C2 joint
Atlantoaxial subluxation
What does atlantoaxial subluxation cause
Compression of spinal cord due to dorsal displacement of dens results in cervical pain (hyperesthesia) and motor dysfunction
Basically what are the two types of intervertebral disease
Type 1: disc rupture
Type 2: disc bulging
A slipped disc results when the soft ____ ____ is squeezed to one side of the disc, causing the firm ____ ____ to protrude and possibly rupture
- Nucleus pulposa
- annulus fibrosis
what can a slipped disc protruding into the vertebral canal compress
Spinal nerves or spinal cord itself
where is the annulus fibrosis the thinnest
Dorsally
Why don’t intervertebral disc commonly impinge on nerves in the most of the thoracic region
protection of the inter capital ligament
Where is the rupture of an intervertebral disc common
thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2)
What is the removal of remaining nucleus pulpous from a ruptured disc
disc fenestration
What is the surgery for cervical disc disease
Ventral decompression through the longs coli muscle to remove extruded disc
What is the surgery for thoracolumbar disc disease
Dorsal laminectomy/hemilaminectomy and fenestration (remove nucleus pulposus)
What is atlantoaxial subluxation/instability
Instability of C1-C2 joint due to dens problems
How would you place a tube for an emergency tracheostomy/tracheotomy
Skin incision in the ventral neck, separate the strap mm, cut between the cartilages of the trachea, insert tube
Why can a broken neck result in respiratory paralysis
Phrenic nerve to diaphragm arises from brachial and cervical plexus
What is a trans tracheal wash
injection and aspiration of material into and from the trachea for lab work
What are common locations for esophageal foreign bodies
Esophageal opening, thoracic inlet, over the base of the heart, & in front of the diaphragm
how should you feel about doing an esophagostomy
always avoid when possible as esophagus heals poorly and strictures are common
what can facilitate the spread of an infection from the neck to the thorax
fascial planes
how are the deeper structures reached relatively free from bleeding
use fascial planes as cleavage planes
describe hoe subcutaneous injection is given into the back
tent the skin at junction of the neck and back and slip the needle in the subcutaneous tissue
describe tenting of the skin to access dehydration of a patient
pull the skin over the shoulders. Well hydrated: skin should immediately, smoothly return
Dehydrated: remains tented for a period
What is a myelogram
injecting contrast medium into the subarachnoid space and radiographing
describe how a spinal tap or a myelogram is done with a spinal needle
Flex neck
- palpate: wings (atlas), spine (axis), and external occipital protuberance
- Needle: midline 1/2’’ cranial to line between wings, parallel to the caudal skull
- Feel “pop” (dorsal atlanto-occipital ligament) and immediately stop
- Pull out stylet and look for CSF fluid in the hub =right place
- If hit bone, pull out and start again or walk needle off bone into the space
- CSF tap: collect CSF for analysis
- myelogram: collect CSF for analysis then inject contrast medium
Where are CSF taps performed
cisterna magna or lumbar cistern
Where is a lumbar CSF tap or myelogram performed in the dog and cat
L5-6 or forward or back one space
What are the landmarks used for cerebrospinal fluid taps at the atlanto-occipital junction
wings of the atlas, external occipital protuberance, and spine of the axis
Describe doing a thoracolumbar myelogram of CSF (spinal tap)
Needle between L5-6 spines
-through yellow ligament into spinal canal
midline critical
-through canal through vertebrae
-withdraw needle a little (mm) into ventral subarachnoid space
-remove stylet to see CSF in hub if correct
-CSF tap: collect
-Myelogram: collect CSF, then inject contrast
Where is epidural anesthesia given
through lumbrosacral space into epidural space
what is the lumbrosacral space
interarcurate space between last lumbar vertebrae (L7) and sacrum
Describe procedure for a epidural in the dog
Thumb & third finger on cranial end of sacral tuberosities
- paloate space between last lumbar spinous process (L7) and sacrum
- needle perpendicular “pop” through yellow ligament into epidural space
what are the clinical signs of meningitis
cervical rigidity (due to pain) fever, and lameness
what is the term for meningitis associated with inflammation of the underlying spinal cord
menigomyelitis
How do lumbar, sacral, and caudal spinal cord segments and the vertebrae relate?
they don’t correlate with the vertebrae of same number caudal to L4
Why is it important to know relationship btwn lumbar spinal cord segments and the vertebrae the overlie?
to localize spinal cord lesions
What is an easy way to remember where spinal cord segments lie in relationship to the vertebrae of the same number?
L3 over vertebrae L3
sacral segments over 5th vertebrae in DOG, sacrum in CAT
Where is the lesion if proprioception is lost?
peripheral nerve spinal cord brain stem cerebrum cerebellum ANYWHERE!
Does loss of proprioception localize the lesion?
No, but a sensitive indication of neurological problem
How is proprioception evaluated clinically?
postural reactions ie knuckle paw
Describe proprioceptive placing reaction in the dog/cat.
placing the animal’s weight on its dorsal paw should result in immediate adjustment to normal placement
How can knowing the spinal segments innervating myotomes and dermatomes be used clinically?
used to localize lesions
Why should you palpate the entire body’s muscles?
check for muscle atrophy (head and limbs)
Why is a patellar tap preformed in a physical exam?
test reflex arc of pelvic limb
What easy, reliable reflexes are tested for peripheral reflex arcs?
patellar tap
anal spincter
tail tone
withdrawal reflex
How is the withdrawal reflex tested in a screening physical?
pinch toes of all 4 limbs
Where does gait deficits without “head signs” localize the lesion?
To spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or diffuse muscular lesion.
What is the term for weakness?
paresis
What is complete to partial loss of voluntary motor activity?
paralysis and paresis
What suffixes are used to describe paresis and paralysis, respectively?
paresis, -plegia
Define monoparesis or monoplegia.
only one limb involved
Define hemiparesis or hemiplegia
both limbs on one side affected
Define tetraparesis/quadraparesis or tetraplegia/quadriplegia
all 4 limbs involved
Define paraparesis or paraplegia:
only the pelvic limbs are involved
What is the effect of UMN damage on LMN?
LMNs increase activity
What localizes a lesion to the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or segment of brain stem LMNs arise from.
LMN signs
What is the memory aid for LMN signs?
Pointing your thumb down= everything decreased or dissappears
List 4 LMN signs.
- decreased or absent muscle tone (hypotonia to atonia)
- decreased to absent reflexes (hyporeflexia to areflexia)
- flaccid paralysis
- rapid atrophy (neurogenic, 1 week)
List 4 UMN signs.
- normal to increased muscle tone (hypertonia)
- normal to increased reflexes ( hyperreflexia)
- spastic paresis to paralysis
- slow atrophy
What is Shiff-Sherrington syndrome?
hyperextension of forelimbs with lesions to the thoracic spinal cord T3-L3
Localize the lesion: UMN signs pelvic limbs, LMN signs to thoracic limb
C6-T1 area 2
Localize the lesion : UMN to all limbs
C1-C5 area 1
localize the lesion : UMN to left pelvic, normal thoracic
T3- L3 area 3 on left
Localize the lesion: UMN signs to pelvic limb, hyperextended thoracic limbs
T3- L3 area 3 + Shiff-Sherington
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
C1-5 spinal cord area 1
No LMN signs to either limb. UMN and loss of proprioception to all 4 limbs
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
Cervical enlargement C6-T2 area 2
LMN and loss of proprioception to thoracic limb
UMN and loss of proprioception to pelvic limb
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
T3-L3 area 3
Normal thoracic limb +/- Shiff-Sherrington
UMN and loss of proprioception to pelvic limb
List presenting signs to transection of the spinal cord:
L4-S1 area 4
No effect on thoracic limb
LMN and loss of proprioception to pelvic limb
What do ascending sensory/afferent tracts carry?
Sensory information including superficial and deep pain and proprioception
What is indicated if a toe pinch elicits a withdrawal of a limb but no behavioral change?
Spinal cord or brain stem lesion cranial to reflex center
What type of prognostic sign is loss of deep pain?
bad prognostic sign
What is usually the first sign in spinal cord compression?
loss of proprioception
Localize the lesion: loss of proprioception in the pelvic limb, normal thoracic limb proprioception.
btwn T1 and S1
What is the cutaneous trunci (panniculus) reflex?
normal reflex: contraction of cutaneous trunci m. in response to pin prick of trunk
What is the pathway of the panniculus reflex?
sensation of skin of trunk over thoracic and lumbar spinal nn. to spinal cord, up cord to lateral thoracic nerve (C8) and out to cutaneous trunci m.
Clinically what is the panniculus response used to evaluate?
level of thoracic spinal cord damage
Where is the spinal cord damage if the panniculus response is absent caudal to the level of the 10 thoracic vertebrae?
level of T8
Where are the dermatomes of the cutaneous trunci response located?
1 or 2 vertebrae caudal to level of innervating cord segment
What vessel is often used to bleed cattle?
median caudal vein
What is the second most common place for venipuncture in the dog?
jugular vein
Why, unlike in the large species is the external jugular hard to puncture in dogs and cats?
not held in the jugular groove so moves
Why is the jugular vein often used preferentially in venipuncture?
saves easier cephalic vein for ER
What is the sight for CSF puncture to obtain fluid from cisterna magna.
Where the line across the cranial end of the wings of the atlas crosses the midline.
What is significant about the middle location of the cervical vertebrae?
creates a triangle of muscles above that can be used for IM injections in large animals
