SPINAL CORD Flashcards

1
Q

Relationship of spinal nerves to intervertebral foramina:

A

C1-C7 spinal nerves pass above corresponding pedicle

C8 & below pass below corresponding pedicle

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2
Q

Relationship of spinal cord levels to vertebral levels:

A
Spinous process/Vertebral body/ Spinal cord segment
 C6*, C6/7, C8
T4, T5, T6
 T11, T11, Lumbar
L1*, L1, SACRAL SEGMENTS
 L2-5*,  L2-5, CAUDA EQUINA
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3
Q

SPINAL CORD FUNCTION:

A
  1. Conduit for ascending (sensory) & descending (motor) pathways
  2. Intrinsic Functions – processing: reflexes & central pattern generators
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4
Q

WHITE MATTER

A
3 columnsS (funiculus) - DORSAL, LATERAL, VENTRAL
funiculus contain ascending or descending axons
area of white matter made up of unmylinated/ thinnly mylinated fibres called dorsolateral tract
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5
Q

Organisation of the spinal grey matter:

A
REXED LAMINAE: I - X
SUBNUCLEI: 
SUBSTANTIA GELATINOSA 
NUCLEUS PROPRIUS
DORSAL NUCLEUS/CLARKE'S N
INTERMEDIOLATERAL NUCLEUS
MOTOR NEURONS OF ANTERIOR
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6
Q

SUBSTANTIA GELATINOSA

A

PAIN MODULATION

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7
Q

DORSAL NUCLEUS/CLARKE’S N

A

*Clarke’s N C8-L3 Non-conscious proprioception

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8
Q

MOTOR NEURONS OF ANTERIOR

A

LOWER MOTOR NEURONS

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9
Q

Transverse sections of the spinal cord at different levels: varying amounts of white & grey matter

A

The amount of grey matter present in the ventral horn is proportional to the amount of muscle innervated at that level.
The amount of white matter present at any level is proportional to the number of ascending / descending fibres.

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10
Q

LATERAL HORNS

A

Contain cell bodies of pre-ganglionic autonomic neurons. Present T1-L2, S2-4.

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11
Q

The dorsal funiculus:

A
below T6 has only 1 column = Fasciculus gracilis
above T6 has 2 columns separated by a dorsal intermediate sulcus =
Fasciculus gracilis (MEDIAL ) & Fasciculus cuneatus
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12
Q

column

A

Funiculus

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13
Q

TRACT

A

Fasciculus

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14
Q

Neurons in the white & grey matter

A

maintain a somatotopic organisation

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15
Q

1 large anterior spinal artery

A

A branch from each vertebral artery joins and descends in the anterior median fissure as 1 large anterior spinal artery

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16
Q

A posterior spinal artery

A

A posterior spinal artery (2) branches off each posterior inferior cerebellar (or vertebral) artery

17
Q

Spinal intrinsic functions: REFLEXES

A
  • Stretch reflex
  • Withdrawal reflex
  • Crossed extensor reflex
18
Q

Spinal intrinsic functions: Central pattern generators

A

• Networks of interneurons, in Rexed lamina VII, that

act as pattern generators for simple, rhythmical movements eg. walking

19
Q

stretch reflex - BICEPS

A

REFLEX: Biceps
MUSCLE INVOLVED: Biceps brachii
Principal Cord Segment: C5
Principal Cord Segment: Musculocutaneous

20
Q

stretch reflex - Brachioradialis

A

REFLEX: Brachioradialis
MUSCLE INVOLVED:Brachioradialis
Principal Cord Segment: C6
Principal Cord Segment: RADIAL

21
Q

stretch reflex - Triceps

A

REFLEX: TRICEPS
MUSCLE INVOLVED - TRICEPS
Principal Cord Segment: C7
Principal Cord Segment: RADIAL

22
Q

stretch reflex - Knee-jerk (patellar)

A

REFLEX: Knee-jerk (patellar)
MUSCLE INVOLVED - Quadriceps femoris
Principal Cord Segment: L3, 4
Principal Cord Segment: FEMORAL

23
Q

stretch reflex -Ankle-jerk (Achilles)

A

REFLEX: Ankle-jerk (Achilles)
MUSCLE INVOLVED - Gastrocnemius, soleus
Principal Cord Segment:S1
Principal Cord Segment: TIBIAL

24
Q

cervical and lumbar enlargements

A

innervate appendicular muscles and plexuses therefore more sensory and motor neurons = larger vertebrae

25
Q

conus medularis

A

L1/L2

26
Q

filum terminale

A

extends inferiorly from apex of conus med. and is a filament of connective tissue

27
Q

cauda equina

A

bundle of spinal nerve and roots (dorsal and ventral) - occupies low L1/2-5 space

28
Q

lumbar cistern

A

holds CSF, occupied by post. and anterior roots of cauda equina, terminal filum
site for lumbar puncture and spinal anesthesia

29
Q

ventral median fissure

A

contains anterior spinal artery

30
Q

anterior spinal artery

A

supplies motor areas

31
Q

funiculi

A

portion of white matter > arachnpid then fuses to dura

32
Q

pia mater and denticulate ligament

A

projects of dura matter

33
Q

dura mater

A

outermost layer of connective tissue

34
Q

‘dorsolateral tract’ or ‘Lissauer’s tract’.

A

The area of white matter between the tip of the dorsal horn and the surface. It contains sensory axons that convey nociception & temperature information

35
Q

Somatotopic organisation of motor neuron cell bodies in the ventral grey horn

A

The motor neurons are somatotopically organised so that those innervating axial muscles are medial to those innervating the distal muscles of the limbs.
Additionally, the motor neurons innervating flexor muscles are located dorsal to those innervating extensor muscles