Spinal Cord Flashcards
The spinal cord is part of which nervous system?
The central nervous system
Nervous tissue tube is found inside the
Vertebral Canal
The vertebral canal contains bundles of fibers going to the brain, called ______ which bring information about the external environment to the brain
Afferent or sensory tracts
The vertebral canal contains bundles of fibers coming from the brain called ________ which sends messages from our brain to the rest of our body
Efferent or Motor Tracts
What is the length of the spinal cord in cm and inches?
45 cm
17-18 inches
In the adult, where does the spinal cord extend to?
Note: In a fetus it extends all the way to coccyx
Intervertebral disc between L1 and L2
In the cervical region, it is a little wider than elsewhere. What is this this called?
Cervical Enlargement
Where does cervical enlargement extend to and from?
What does it form?
C4-T1
Brachial Plexus
Why is there the cervical enlargement?
Important for innervating upper limb
Another enlargement lower down on the spine
Lumbar enlargement
Where does the lumbar enlargement extend to?
T11-L1
What does the lumbar enlargement form?
Lumbosacral Plexus
What does the lumbar enlargement innervate?
Lower extremity
Pointed cone shaped end of the spinal cord at L1-2
Conus Medularrus
A collection of dorsal and ventral nerve roots at the inferior end of the spinal cord filling in the vertebral canal
Cauda Equina
The brain and spinal cord are covered by 3 layers of connective tissue called the
Meninges
The outermost meningeal covering, very thick and tough, the epidural space lies between the vertebrae and it
Dura Mater
Space filled with fatty tissue that helps protect the spinal cord between vertebra and dura mater
Epidural Space
A pouch inferior to the conus medullaris formed by the dura mater. It contains the cauda equina
Lumbar Cistern
The middle layer of meninges that is a delicate membrane with fine branching fibers giving a spider web appearance
Arachnoid Mater
Deep to membrane is subarachnoid space and contains
Cerebrospinal Fluid
What does cerebrospinal fluid do?
Protects the spinal cord
Cauda equina lies in cistern and is bathed in the
Cereobraspinal fluid
Located between the arachnoid and the PIA, CSF is contained in this space
Subarachnoid Space
The innermost layer, very adherent to spinal cord and is very thin
PIA Mater
Extensions of the pia that attach the psinal cord to the arachnoid and dura; 20-22 pairs along the length of the cord.
Denticulate ligaments
A thin, thread like extension of the pia mater that hold the spinal cord to the sacrum
Filum Terminale
Used to obtain CSF from the lubar cistern, and important diagnostic tool for evaluating a variety of nervous system disorders (meningitis, stroke)
Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap
The needle of a spinal tap passes between __ and ____ or ___ and ____
It penetrates the ________ between lamina to enter the spinal canal in subarachnoid space
L3 and L4, L4 and L5
Ligamentum Flavum
If there is blood in CSF, it indicates that a ____ has occurred
stroke
is located in lumbar cistern, it’s floating around in fluid and is therefore unlikely that a needle could hit the dorsal/ventral roots
Cauda Equina
Where do the 31 pairs of spinal nerves enter from the vertebral canal?
Intervertebral Foramina
8, 12, 5, 5, 1
8 Cervical 12 Thoracic 5 Lumbar 5 Sacral 1 Coccygeal
Where is C8?
Below C7
A nerve that contains both afferent and efferent fibers
Formed by joining of 2 roots, dosral and ventral
Mixed spinal nerve
A collection of nerve cell bodies involved in bringing sensory information to the spinal cord
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Area of skin innervated by the cutaneous branch of a single spinal nerve
Dermatomes
All spinal nerves except __ participate in dermatomes
Pin prick can be used to test spinal nerves
C1
Which group of nerves is sensory?
Which is motor?
Dorsal
Ventral
White matter contains
Grey Matter contains
Fibers extending down and up (sensory and motor)
Neurons involved in sensory and motor function
