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Neuroscience MD2 > Spinal Cord > Flashcards

Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary function of the spinal cord?

A

Transmission of nerve signals between the motor cortex and the body, and sensory neurons to the sensory cortex.

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2
Q

What are the three main meningeal coverings of the spinal cord?

A
  • Dura mater
  • Arachnoid mater
  • Pia mater
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3
Q

What is the central canal of the spinal cord filled with?

A

Cerebrospinal fluid.

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4
Q

What are the two well-defined enlargements of the spinal cord?

A
  • Cervical level (upper limbs)
  • Lumbosacral level (lower limbs)
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5
Q

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

A

31 pairs.

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6
Q

What is the function of the anterior horn of the spinal cord gray matter?

A

Motor function.

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: The spinal cord is composed of gray matter core surrounded by _______.

A

White matter.

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8
Q

What are the three functional regions of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

A
  • Anterior horn
  • Posterior horn
  • Lateral (intermediate) horn
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9
Q

What are Rexed laminae?

A

Ten layers of gray matter in the spinal cord organized by cytoarchitecture.

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10
Q

What types of tracts are found in the spinal cord white matter?

A
  • Ascending tracts
  • Descending tracts
  • Intersegmental/propriospinal tracts
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11
Q

True or False: The posterior funiculus of the spinal cord is further divided into medial gracile and lateral cuneate fasciculus.

A

True.

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12
Q

What arteries primarily supply the spinal cord?

A
  • Anterior spinal artery
  • Two posterior spinal arteries
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13
Q

What is the role of segmental spinal arteries?

A

They provide additional arterial supply to the spinal cord.

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14
Q

What are the two types of spinal cord injuries?

A
  • Incomplete injury
  • Complete injury
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15
Q

What is a monosynaptic reflex?

A

A reflex involving only one sensory and one motor neuron.

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16
Q

What distinguishes a polysynaptic reflex from a monosynaptic reflex?

A

Involves multiple neurons and interneurons.

17
Q

What is the significance of the lumbar cistern?

A

It is the site for lumbar puncture due to the absence of spinal cord.

18
Q

What is the role of spinal interneurons?

A

They make up the neural circuits known as central pattern generators.

19
Q

What is a myotome?

A

A group of muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve root.

20
Q

What are dermatomes?

A

Skin areas from which each spinal nerve receives sensory information.

21
Q

What is the function of the spinal nerves?

A

Transmit afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor/autonomic) information.

22
Q

What is the function of the posterior horn of the spinal cord gray matter?

A

Sensory function.

23
Q

What are the three paired columns of white matter in the spinal cord?

A
  • Anterior funiculus
  • Lateral funiculus
  • Posterior funiculus
24
Q

What is the function of the filum terminale?

A

Anchors the spinal cord in place.

25
Q

What does the epidural space contain?

A

Fat.

26
Q

Fill in the blank: The spinal cord extends from the foramen magnum to the _______.

A

L1/L2 vertebra.

27
Q

What are the four regions of the spinal column?

A

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral

Cervical (7 vertebrae), Thoracic (12 vertebrae), Lumbar (5 vertebrae), Sacral (5 vertebrae)

28
Q

What are the most frequent causes of Spinal Cord Injury?

A
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Falls
  • Sport Injuries
  • Violence
  • Self-harm
  • Work-related Accidents

These causes are listed in order of frequency.

29
Q

What characterizes a complete spinal cord injury?

A

No sensation or voluntary motor function caudal to the level of injury, intact bulbocavernosis reflex

Indicates intact S3-4 and resolution of spinal shock.

30
Q

How is a complete spinal cord injury named?

A

By the last spinal level of partial neurologic function

Prognosis includes the expectation of one to two levels of additional root return.

31
Q

What defines an incomplete spinal cord injury?

A

Some neurologic function persists caudal to the level of injury after the return of the bulbocavernosus reflex

Greater function distal to the lesion indicates better prognosis.

32
Q

What is sacral sparing in the context of spinal cord injury?

A

Perianal sensation, voluntary rectal motor function, and great toe flexor activity

Indicates incomplete cord injury and potential for greater return of cord function.

33
Q

What is Brown-Sequard Syndrome?

A

A hemicord injury with ipsilateral muscle paralysis and contralateral hypesthesia to pain and temperature

Prognosis is good, with >90% regaining bowel and bladder function.

34
Q

What is Central Cord Syndrome commonly associated with?

A

Extension injury to an osteoarthritic spine in middle-aged individuals

Presents with flaccid paralysis of the upper extremities and sacral sparing.

35
Q

What are the characteristics of Anterior Cord Syndrome?

A

Motor and pain/temperature loss with preserved proprioception

Good prognosis if recovery is evident within 24 hours.

36
Q

What is Conus Medullaris Syndrome?

A

Involves loss of voluntary bowel and bladder control with preserved lumbar root function

Seen in T12-L1 injuries, may be complete or incomplete.

37
Q

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome caused by?

A

Multilevel lumbosacral root compression within the lumbar spinal canal

Clinical manifestations include saddle anesthesia and loss of voluntary bowel or bladder function.

38
Q

True or False: The absence of sacral sensation to temperature or pinprick after 24 hours in Anterior Cord Syndrome indicates a good prognosis.

A

False

It portends a poor outcome, with functional recovery in only 10% of patients.

Neuroscience MD2 (4 decks)

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