Spinal Cord

Question 1

The spinal cord contains what kind of matter, and where are they located?

Answer 1

Central Grey matter and Peripheral white matter

Question 2

Where are the fiber pathways and what are their functions?

Answer 2

Within the white matter….

ascending pathways relay sensory info to the brain

descending pathways relay motor info from the brain

Question 3

What are the 3 main sensory systems entering the spinal cord?

Answer 3

1) Pain-Temperature
2) Proprioception (stereognosis)
3) Light Touch

Question 4

Pathway for Pain-Temperature

Answer 4

Spinothalamic Tract

Question 5

Lesion to the Spinothalamic Tract leads to…

Answer 5

loss of pain-temperature sensation contralaterally, below the level of the lesion

Question 6

Pathway for Proprioception

Answer 6

Posterior Columns

Question 7

What comprises the posterior columns?

Answer 7

Synaptic areas called the nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilis

Gracilis receives info from the lower part of the body

Cuneatus receive info from the upper part of the body

Each has a corresponding pathway called fasciculus cuneatus and fasciculus gracilis, respectively

Both pathways make the posterior columns

Question 8

Lesion to the Posterior Columns leads to…

Answer 8

Decrease in conscious proprioception and stereognosis ipsilaterally below the level of the lesion

Question 9

What is Stereognosis?

Answer 9

The ability to recognize objects by touching and handling them with eyes closed

Question 10

What is Proprioception?

Answer 10

The ability to sense the position of the limbs and their movements, with eyes closed

Question 11

The Unconscious Proprioception Pathway is?

What does it connect to?

Answer 11

Spinocerebellar Pathway…connects to the cerebellum..

Walk and perform complex acts without thinking about them

Question 12

Lesion to the spinocerebellar pathway leads to?….why?

Answer 12

Ipsilateral malfunctioning, because it remains on one side and does not cross over

Question 13

What are the 3 major connections between the cerebellum and brainstem?

Answer 13

Superior, Middle, and Inferior Cerebellar Peduncles …Connect with the midbrain, pons, medulla, respectively

Question 14

The spinocerebellar pathway enters through which of the cerebellar peduncles?

Answer 14

Superior and Inferior

Question 15

The motor pathway is known as?…which direction?

Answer 15

The corticospinal pathway…travels down from the motor area of the cerebral cortex, through the brain stem, crossing over at the medial lemniscus

Question 16

What is the Medial Lemniscus?

Answer 16

The junction between the brain stem and spinal cord

Question 17

Upper Motor Neuron Lesion leads to…

Answer 17

Spastic paralysis
No significant muscle atrophy
No fasciculations nor fibrillations 
Hyperreflexia
Babinski reflex may be present

Question 18

Lower Motor Neuron Lesion leads to…

Answer 18

Flaccid paralySignificant muscle atrophy
Fasciculations and fibrillations
Hyporeflexia
Babinski reflex not present