Spinal Cord

Question 1

what is the spinal cord

Answer 1

major reflex center and conduction pathway b/w body and brain

Question 2

what is the spinal cord protects by

Answer 2

vertebrae (& associated ligaments)

muscles

spinal meninges

cerebrospinal fluid

Question 3

where does the spinal cord begin and end

Answer 3

begins: continuation of the medulla oblongata

ends: opposite of the IV disc (b/w L2 and L3)

Question 4

regions of the spinal cord

Answer 4

cervical enlargement

lumbar enlargement

medullary cone

cauda equina

Question 5

cervical enlargement

Answer 5

extends of C4-T1

most of the anterior rami of the spinal nerves arise from it
-contribute to the lumbar and sacral plexuses

Question 6

lumbar enlargement

Answer 6

extends from L1-S3

anterior rami of spinal nerves arising from in
-contribute to the lumbar and sacral plexuses

Question 7

medullary cone

Answer 7

inferior end of the spinal cord

conical shape

Question 8

cauda equina

Answer 8

bundle of spinal nerve roots running through the lumbar cistern
-subarachnoid space

Question 9

vasculature to spinal cord

Answer 9

spinal cord needs a lot of blood supply

cervical

thoracic

lumbar

sacrum

Question 10

cervical vasculature

Answer 10

vertebral artery

ascending cervical artery

Question 11

thoracic vasculature

Answer 11

posterior intercoastal arteries

Question 12

lumbar vasculature

Answer 12

subcostal artery

lumbar arteries

Question 13

sacrum vasculature

Answer 13

lateral sacral arteries

iliolumbar arteries

Question 14

Meninges

Answer 14

3 parts

dura mater

arachnoid mater

pia mater

Question 15

dura mater

Answer 15

composed of tough, fibrous and some elastic tissue

outermost covering membrane of the spinal cord

Question 16

arachnoid mater

Answer 16

delicate, avascular membrane

arachnoid trabeculae

Question 17

what is the arachnoid major composed of

Answer 17

fibrous and elastic tissue
-lines the dural sac and the dural root sheaths

Question 18

arachnoid trabeculae

Answer 18

delicate strands of connective tissue

span the arachnoid space

connecting the arachnoid and pia maters

Question 19

pia mater

Answer 19

innermost covering membrane of spinal cord

consists of flattened cells with long, equally flattened processes
-closely follow the surface features of the spinal cord

denticulate ligaments

terminal filium

Question 20

denticulate ligaments

Answer 20

small tooth-like ligaments

run along each side of the spinal cord

suspend the spinal cord in the dural sac

Question 21

terminal filium

Answer 21

anchors the spinal dural sac inferior to coccyx

Question 22

what is an epidural

Answer 22

injection outside of dura mater

used to affect the spinal nerves

Question 23

spinal puncture

Answer 23

used to receive cerebral spinal fluid

pierces through the dura and arachnoid major (into space below the arachnoid mater)

Question 24

5 general causes of back pain

Answer 24

usually comes together in some combination

1. issues with fibro skeletal structures
2. issues w/ the meninges
3. issues with the joints themselves
4. muscular injuries
5. compression of nerve tissue

Question 25

spinal nerves