Spinal Cord Flashcards
In horizontal view, what direction of the spinal cord tends to be the largest?
Transverse
What are the spinal cord enlargement locations and the name given to each?
C3-T1, the cervical enlargement; T9-T12, the lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement
Where is the greatest transverse diameter of the spinal cord?
C6
What is the generic cord level or origin - vertebral level combination for the lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement?
L1, L2 cord levels in T9 vertebra
L3, L4 cord levels in T10 vertebra
L5, S1 cord levels in T11 vertebra
S2,S3 cord levels in T12 vertebra
What is the caudal end of the spinal cord called?
Conus medullaris
What spinal nerves originate from the conus medullaris?
Typically S4, S5 and Co1
In which vertebral foramen will the conus medullaris typically be observed?
L1
What is the name given to the nerve roots below L1?
Cauda Equina
What is the continuation of pia mater below the conus medullaris called?
Filum terminale internum
What is the location and name fiven to the area where all meninges first converge at the caudal part of the vertebral column?
Typically S2, the dural cul de sac
Neural tissue has been identified in what part of the filum terminale?
Proximal part of the filum terminale internum
What is the fate of the neural tissue identified along the filum terminale?
It joins peripheral nerve roots of spinal nerves as high as L3 and as low as S4
What dos the neural tissue associated with the filum terminale externum appear to innervate?
Lower limbs and the external anal sphincter
The last arterial vasa corona creates what feature on angiogram?
Cruciate anastomosis
What is the name given to the condensation of meninges below S2?
Filum terminale externum
What is the name given tot he caudal attachment of the meninges?
Coccygeal medullary vestige
What is the name given tot he condition in which the conus medullaris is located below L1 and the filum terminale is thickened?
Tethered cord syndrome
What is the relationship between scoliosis and tethered cord syndrome?
It is suggested that the column will change normal curvatures to mitigate damage to the spinal cord
What is the relationship between spinal nerve number, rib number and vertebral number in a thoracic intervertebral foramen?
The spinal nerve number relates to the upper segment number in the vertebral couple, the rib number relates to the lower segment number in the vertebral couple IE: T3 nerve exits the intervertebral foramen formed by T3/T4 and rib 4 joints with this vertebral couple
Which mammals have more that seven cervical vertebrae?
ant bear and three-toed sloth
Which mammals have less than seven cervical vertebrae?
two-toed sloth and manatee
What is the number of vertebrae in the typical cervical spine?
7 segments
Which vertebrae are typical cervicals?
C3-C6
Which vertebrae are atypical cervicals?
C1, C2, C7
What is the shape of the typical cervical vertebral body from the cranial view?
Rectangular
What is the appearance of the typical cervical vertebral body from the lateral view?
Posterior height is greater than anterior height by a few millimeters
What would the direction of the typical cervical curve based on osseous features?
Posterior or Kyphotic
What accounts for the direction of the typical cervical curve?
The intervertebral disc height
What is the direction of the typical cervical curve?
Anterior or Lordotic
At what vertebral couple will the cervical curve again increase intervertebral disc height?
C5/C6
What is the effect of aging on the cervical vertebral body?
it diminishes the overall height of the vertebral body
What are the modifications of the superior epiphyseal rim of a typical cervical?
Anterior groove, posterior groove, right and left uncinate processes
What are the names of the lateral modifications of the superior epiphyseal rim?
Uncinate process, unciform process, uncovertebral process, uncus or lateral lip
At what developmental age will the uncinate process first be observed?
3rd-4th fetal month
What are the modifications of the inferior epiphyseal rim of a typical cervical?
anterior lip, posterior lip, right and left lateral groove
What are the names given to the lateral modifications of the inferior epiphyseal rim?
Lateral groove or enchancrure
What is the joint classification for the anterior lip-anterior groove articulation?
Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
What is the joint classification for the posterior lip-posterior groove articulation?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
What is the joint classification for the uncinate process-lateral groove articulation?
Modified Synovial saddle (diarthrosis) sellar
