Spinal cord Flashcards
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord stop?
L1/L2
What is the typical vertebral level for lumbar puncture?
L3 - 4
Where within the ventral horn are the cell bodies of motoneurones that innervate proximal muscles?
Medially
Where within the ventral horn are the cell bodies of motoneurones that innervate distal muscles?
Lateral
Define the motor unit
The motor unit is a group of multiple muscle fibres within a single muscle that is innervated by a single motoneurone
Define the motor neurone pool
All motoneurones that innervate a single muscle have their nuclei cluster together in the ventral horn
What is the main function of muscle spindles?
Detect amount of muscle stretch and thus muscle length and position
What type of motoneurones innervate muscle?
Alpha motoneurones
What do Golgi tendon organ receptors detect?
Amount of force of contraction of a muscle
Which neurotransmitter does a lower motor neurone release?
ACh
Name these ligaments
A Supraspinous ligament
B Ligamentum flavum
C Posterior longitudinal ligament
D Anterior longitudinal ligament
A Annulus fibrosus
B Nucleus pulposus
Which structures do posterior rami innervate?
Superficial/intrinsic back muscles
Overlying skin of the back
Facet joints
Name these structures
A Vertebral body
B Lamina
C Spinous process
D Transverse process
E Pedicle
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord stop?
L1/L2
A Articular facet for head of rib
B Superior/inferior articular facet
C Articular facet for tubercle of rib
