SENSORY SYSTEMS, SPINAL CORD AND BRAIN STEM Flashcards
in the CNS where do we find cell bodies and axons?
cell bodies in grey matter
axons in white matter
in the PNS where do we find cell bodies and axons?
cell bodies in ganglia
axons in nerves
what are the 4 main types of sensation?
superficial, deep, visceral and special
what is superficial sensation?
crude touch, pain, temperature and 2 point discriminative touch
what is deep sensation?
muscle and joint position sense and deep muscle pain
what is visceral sensation?
sensations arising from the viscera: hunger, nausea, visceral pain
what is special sensation?
senses: smell, vision, hearing, taste and balance
where does the length of the spinal cord run from and too?
from the foramen magnum until L1/L2
what are the 2 vertebral enlargements? why do we have them?
cervical and lumbar
due to an increased number of nerves coming out of these locations
describe the layers of the meninges?
spinal cord surrounded by Pia matter which is surrounded by the subarachnoid space and arachnoid matter which is surrounded by the dura matter which is surrounded by the epidural space and this is finally surrounded by the vertebral canal.
where do we find the cerebral spinal fluid?
what is its function?
in the sub-arachnoid space
to cushion the brain and spinal cord from trauma, to supply them with nutrients and to remove waste
what is the lumbar cistern?
the sub-arachnoid space in the low lumbar spinal canal
why are lumbar punctures done below L1/L2
as the spinal cord has ended so you can gather CSF without damaging the spinal cord
what is the conus medullaris?
the tapered lowers end of the spinal cord at L1/L2
what is the film terminali?
delicate strand of fibrous tissue in length, proceeding downward from the apex of the conus medullaris. it anchors the spinal cord at S2
what is the cauda equine?
the sack of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord.
what is the central canal in the centre of grey matter?
the cerebrospinal fluid-filled space that runs through the spinal cord.
what are the lateral horns of the spinal cord?
small lateral projections of grey matter located between the dorsal and ventral horns that contain the neuronal cell bodies of the sympathetic nervous system