Spinal Cord Flashcards
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
Which spinal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramen above their appropriate vertebrae?
C1-C7
Which spinal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramen below their appropriate vertebrae?
C8-coccygeal 1
Where is the upper limit of the spinal cord?
Its junction with the medulla oblongata
Where is the lower limit of the spinal cord in an adult?
L1/2 vertebrae
Where is the lower limit of the spinal cord in an infant?
L3/4 vertebrae
Grey matter of the spinal cord consists of bundles of axons trasnmitting information to and from the brain. T/F?
False - this is the white matter
Why is the grey mater region of the spinal cord significantly larger in the cervical and lumbar regions compared to the thoracic and sacral regions?
The cervical and lumbar regions supply the upper and lower limbs respectively so will carry lots of sensory and motor fibres in comparison to the thoracic and sacral regions which innervate the trunk
What are the three layers of the meninges, in order from most superficial to most deep?
Dura mater
arachnoid mater
pia mater
Where does the epidural space exist?
Between the dura and the vertebrae
Which layer of the meninges consists of trabecular?
arachnoid mater
In which area of the meninges does CSF circulate?
Between the arachnoid and pill layers in the sub arachnoid space
CSF is a filtrate of blood. T/F?
True
Where does the dura mater Duse with the endosperm of the cranium?
Foramen magnum
The dura mater is thin and inelastic. T/F?
True
The arachnoid mater is thin and fibrous. T/F?
True
How much CSF circulates in the subarachnoid space?
140ml
How much CSF is produced each day?
500ml
What is the function of the CSF?
Afford mechanical and immunological protection to the brain
The Pia mater consists of a unicellular membrane. T/F?
True
How is the Pia mater separated from the spinal cord?
Sub-pial space
The denticulate ligaments are formed from the Pia mater. What is their function?
Prevent lateral displacement of the cord
What is the clinical significance of the Boston venous plexus of the spinal cord?
Major route in the spread of cancer from deep pelvic regions
Describe the blood supply to the spinal cord in the cervical and thoracic regions?
Anterior spinal artery
2 posterior spinal arteries
From which arteries does the anterior spinal artery arise?
Intercostal arteries
Which artery supplies the lower 1/3 of the spinal cord?
Artery of adamkiewicz
What are the symptoms of anterior spinal artery syndrome?
Loss of urinary and or faecal continence
impaired motor function of the legs/spasticity
Where are epidural injections and lumbar punctures taken from?
L3/4 or L4/5 junction
What are the functions of lumbar puncture?
Diagnostic - withdraw CSF or measure CSF pressure
Therapeutic purposes - administration of antibiotics or a route for chemotherapy
What is the name of the most caudal point of the spinal cord?
Conus medullaris
Where does the filum terminale extend from?
The tip of the conus medullaris to the sacrum
What is the function of the filum terminale?
Helps to hold the spinal cord in place
Through which types of nerve fibres is painful stimuli transmitted to the dorsal horn?
A-delta
C fibres
Through which type of nerve fibre is proprioceptive sensory information transmitted to the dorsal horn?
A-alpha fibres
Mechanoreceptors convey sensory information to the dorsal horn via which type of fibre?
A-beta fibres
The largest, myelinated fibres transmit nerve signals most slowly. T/F?
False - these fibres have the fastest conduction speeds
From which horn of the spinal cord do motor fibres leave?
Ventral horn
What is the name for the layers and columns seen in a transverse section fo the spinal cord?
Rexed’s laminae
In which columns in the spinal cord are the cell bodies of preganglionic sympathetic fibres found?
Interomedial lateral column
In which laminae of the grey mater do sensory inputs from the skin terminate?
Laminae 1-4
Veins in the spinal cord form the internal epidural venous plexuses and pass superiorly through the foramen magnum to drain into…?
The dural sinuses
What is the name of the layers and columns which divide the grey matter of the spinal cord?
Rexed’s laminae
