Spinal Cord

Question 1

What is the general shape of the spinal cord in cross section?

Answer 1

Oval

Question 2

What depression lies on the anterior surface of the spinal cord?

Answer 2

Anterior median sulcus

Question 3

What depression lies on the posterior surface of the spinal cord?

Answer 3

Posterior median sulcus

Question 4

Where does the spinal cord begin in an adult?

Answer 4

Foramen magnum

Question 5

Where does the spinal cord end in an adult?

Answer 5

L1

Question 6

How does the dura mater within the vertebral canal different from the dura within the cranial cavity?

Answer 6

It consists of one layer rather than two

Question 7

What portion of the spinal cord is composed of dendrites and cell bodies of neurons and glial cells and unmyelinated axons?

Answer 7

Gray matter

Question 8

What portion of the spinal cord is composed of myelinated axons?

Answer 8

White matter

Question 9

Within the spinal cord where is gray matter located and how is it shaped?

Answer 9

Centrally butterfly shaped

Question 10

Within the spinal cord what are the anterior masses of gray matter that contain the cell bodies of somatic motor neurons?

Answer 10

Anterior horns

Question 11

Within the spinal cord from T1-L12 what structures contain the cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons?

Answer 11

Lateral horns

Question 12

Within the spinal cord what are the posterior masses of gray matter that contain the axons of sensory neurons and the cell bodies of internerouns?

Answer 12

Posterior horns

Question 13

What horizontal bar of gray matter surrounds the central canal within the spinal cord?

Answer 13

Gray commissure

Question 14

What fills the central canal of the spinal cord?

Answer 14

Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 15

Within the regions of the spinal cords gray matter what are the various functional groups of neuron cell bodies?

Answer 15

Nuclei

Question 16

Where does the white matter of the spinal cord lie in relation to the gray matter?

Answer 16

External

Question 17

Anteriorly and posteriorly what are the small attachments of a spinal nerve to the spinal cord?

Answer 17

Rootlets

Question 18

Rootlets converge to form what structures?

Answer 18

•Anterior root
•Posterior root

Question 19

The cell bodies of sensory neurons associated with the spinal cord are found in what structures?

Answer 19

Posterior root ganglion

Question 20

The cell bodies of motor neurons within the spinal cord are found in what structures?

Answer 20

Anterior horn

Question 21

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 21

31

Question 22

What is cauda equina?

Answer 22

Spinal nerves that extend after the end of the spinal cord

Question 23

What are the two main branches of a spinal nerve?

Answer 23

•Posterior ramus
•Anterior ramus

Question 24

What branches of a spinal nerve are associated with the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 24

Communicating rami

Question 25

What is a specific segement of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve?

Answer 25

Dermatomes