spinal cord

Question 1

where does spinal cord end?
what’s it called?

Answer 1

L1/2
conus medullaris

Question 2

what is the cauda equina?

Answer 2

where nerve fibres continue to run down

Question 3

how does grey/white matter change in spinal cord?

Answer 3

Question 4

what are the tracts and cell bodies found in the spinal tract?

Answer 4

Question 5

what is the spinothalamic tract?
sensory or motor?
responsible for?

Answer 5

sensory tract
carries information about pain, temp and crude touch
1st - spinal root to cord
2nd - dorsal iron to thalamus
3rd - VPL thalamus to cortex
decussates at leave where sensory info enters spinal cord

Question 6

what happens with lesion in spinothalamic tract?

Answer 6

lose pain and temperature contralateral to side of lesion

Question 7

what is the dorsal column medial lemniscus ?
sensory or motor?
responsible for?

Answer 7

sensory
carries info on vibration, proprioception and fine touch
1st - spinal root up cord
2nd - gracilis (lower) cuneatus (upper)
3rd - VPL thalamus to cortex

Question 8

what happens if lesion in DCML?

Answer 8

if below decussation (cord), loss of senses on same side
if above decussation (medulla, brain, pons), loss of senses contralateral side

Question 9

summary of sensory information to brain?
spinothalamic + DCML

Answer 9

Question 10

what is the corticospinal tract?
sensory or motor?
responsible for?

Answer 10

motor
1st - cortex to anterior horn
2nd - anterior horn to muscle
decussates in lower medulla

Question 11

key points about spinal tracts?

Answer 11