Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What protects the spinal cord?

A

Skin, epaxial muscles, vertebrae, meninges. It is very well protected.

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2
Q

List the meninges from outer to inner layers.

A
  1. Dura mater 2. Arachnoid 3. Pia mater
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3
Q

What is the delicate layer with spider web-like filaments?

A

Arachnoid layer

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4
Q

Where is the CSF found?

A

In the subarachnoid space.

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5
Q

What is the subdural space?

A

A vascular layer that is associated with the dura.

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6
Q

Which of the meninges is adhered to the spinal cord and brain?

A

Pia mater

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7
Q

Which layer is fused with the periosteum in the cranial cavity?

A

Dura mater

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8
Q

____ form an envelope that completely encloses the brain and spinal cord.

A

The meninges

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9
Q

Where is the epidural space? What fills this space?

A

Between the vertebrae and dura mater. Contains fat and fluid.

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10
Q

What are denticulate ligaments?

A

Connections from the dura to spinal cord, helps with stabilization.

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11
Q

What is a complete dorsal laminectomy?

A

A procedure where the laminae of the vertebral column are cut and removed to expose the spinal cord.

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12
Q

What is a hemilaminectomy?

A

A procedure where one side of the vertebral column is cut at the laminae to expose the spinal cord.

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13
Q

How does the length of the spinal cord compare to the length of the vertebral column. What is the consequence of that?

A

The spinal cord is shorter. Spinal nerves start coming off straight but become more parallel to the spinal cord dorsally.

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14
Q

What are the thickenings of the spinal cord called?

A

Brachial plexus and lumbosacral plexus.

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15
Q

What is the structure at the end of the spinal cord that is the shape of a cone?

A

Medullary cone.

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16
Q

What is the collection of spinal nerves at the end of the spinal cord called?

A

Cauda equina.

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17
Q

Where does the spinal cord end?

A

Around the ilium.

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18
Q

Where is CSF fluid collected or anesthetic administered in the caudal part of the spinal cord?

A

Lumbosacral interarcurate space.

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19
Q

Where is the lumbosacral interarcurate space?

A

Depends on species - cranial to the sacrum.

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20
Q

Where are epidural anesthetics administered?

A

Very caudally, more caudal than the lumbosacral interarcurate space.

21
Q

What is the filum terminale?

A

A small string-like structure coming off the end of the spinal cord. Terminates on the caudal vertebrae. Most caudal anchor point.

22
Q

How many cranial spinal nerves are there?

A

8 - named by the vertebrae caudal to them. C8 is caudal to C7 vertebra and cranial to T1.

23
Q

How many thoracic nerves are there?

A

Same # as vertebrae

24
Q

How many lumbar nerves are there?

A

Same # as vertebrae

25
Q

How many sacral nerves are there?

A

Same # as vertebrae

26
Q

How many caudal vertebrae are there?

A

Same # as vertebrae

27
Q

Where are neuronal cell bodies found in the spinal cord?

A

Grey matter - Inside of spinal cord.

28
Q

What are ganglia?

A

Structures outside of the spinal cord that contain neuronal cell bodies.

29
Q

Central grey matter changes based on….

A

Location in the spinal cord, larger if there are more neuronal cell bodies.

30
Q

What do the two branches of a spinal nerve innervate?

A

Dorsal rami - epaxial muscles. Ventral rami - hypaxial muscles and other structures.

31
Q

Which ramus of a spinal nerve is bigger?

A

Ventral ramus - innervates more.

32
Q

Where is the spinal nerve formed? What happens immediately after its formation.

A

Formed after ganglia, splits into two rami.

33
Q

The dorsal root contains…

A

Afferent neurons

34
Q

The ventral root contains…

A

efferent neurons.

35
Q

What is the direction of axons in the dorsal root?

A

Axons enter spinal cord.

36
Q

Where are the dendrites of the ventral root?

A

In the ventral horn.

37
Q

Do dorsal root or ventral root neurons have long dendrites?

A

Dorsal root.

38
Q

Where are the cell bodies of ventral root neurons.

A

Ventral horn

39
Q

Why are spinal nerves called mixed nerves?

A

There are 4 different pathways in the nerve (somatic afferent, somatic efferent, visceral afferent, visceral efferent).

40
Q

What are funiculi?

A

Regions of the white matter. Composed of ascending and descending nerve fibers that are grouped to form tracts.

41
Q

Dorsal funiculus is mainly composed of…

A

ascending tracts (towards the brain)

42
Q

Lateral funiculus contains…

A

Ascending (laterally) and ascending/descending (medially) tracts

43
Q

Ventral funiculus contains…

A

Both ascending and descending tracts

44
Q

Spinal nerves exit through…

A

intervertebral foramen.

45
Q

Spinal nerves innervate _____ while plexus nerves innervate _____.

A

Spinal = trunk elements. Plexus = limbs.

46
Q

The intrinsic limb muscles are innervated by…

A

the ventral ramus of spinal nerves.

47
Q

The arterial supply of the spinal column includes…

A

A ventral spinal artery and 2 dorsolateral arteries.

48
Q

The venous supply of the spinal cord involves…

A

a plexus.

49
Q

Inside the spinal cord, the venous system is called _____. As it exits, it is called _____.

A

Inside = plexus. Outside = intervertebral vein.