Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

Where does the spinal cord end?

A

Around L1 vertebrae.

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2
Q

Why are lumbar punctures performed at L4-L5 and definitely below L3?

A

Because the spinal cord ends before then. If performed lower, then the nerves move out of the way and there is easier access to the cerebral spinal fluid.

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3
Q

How many arteries supply the spinal cord?

A

3.

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4
Q

What artery supplies the anterior 2/3rds of the cord?

A

The anterior spinal artery.

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5
Q

What arteries supply the posterior 1/3rd of the cord?

A

The two posterior spinal arteries.

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6
Q

Ascending pathways carry what types of signals?

A

Sensory.

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7
Q

Descending pathways carry what types of signals?

A

Motor.

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8
Q

What does the dorsal spinocerebral pathway do?

A

Provides proprioceptive and muscle sense information from individual muscles.

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9
Q

What does the ventral spinocerebral pathway do?

A

Provides propioceptive and muscle sense information from limbs as a whole.

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10
Q

Is the spinocerebral pathway ipsilateral or contralateral?

A

Ipsilateral.

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11
Q

What does the dorsal column-medial lemniscus (DCML) pathway do?

A

Provides discriminate touch, light pressure, and is highly localized.

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12
Q

Where is the first order neuron located in the DCML pathway? Where does the signal enter after that? Where does the signal ascend?

A

In the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Afterwards, they enter the posterior horn of the spinal cord. It ascends uncrossed in dorsal columns.

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13
Q

If the DCML pathway crosses, where does it cross?

A

In the brainstem.

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14
Q

What is the function of the anterolateral (ALS) pathways?

A

Pain, temperature, crude touch, and deep pressure.

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15
Q

What are the receptors in the anerolateral (ALS) pathways?

A

Free nerve endings in the skin.

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16
Q

Where is the first order neuron in the anterolateral pathways? Where is the second order neuron?

A

The dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In the dorsal horn.

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17
Q

If the anterolateral pathway crosses, where does it cross? Where does it ascend at?

A

It crosses the midline at each spinal segment and ascend at the aterolateral fasciculus.

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18
Q

What is the function of the corticospinal tracts (CT)?

A

Execute and control voluntary motor activity.

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19
Q

If the corticospinal tract crosses, where does it cross? Where does it descend to?

A

It crosses the midline at the pyramidal descussation in the brainstem. It descends within the spinal cord to synapse with lower motor neurons in the anterior horn.

20
Q

Where do lateral corticospinal tract nerves provide function to?

A

Limb muscles.

21
Q

Motor tracts consist of what two neurons?

A

The upper and the lower motor neuron.

22
Q

Dorsal root ganglia contain what kind of nerves?

A

Sensory nerves.

23
Q

What do dorsal roots contain?

A

The afferent axons from nerves in the dorsal root ganglia.

24
Q

Why are spinal nerves classified as mixed nerves?

A

Because they contain both sensory and motor nerve fibers.

25
Q

What are the meningeal three layers?

A
  1. The dura mater. 2. Arachnoid mater. 3. Pia mater.
26
Q

What is the dura mater?

A

A tough, fibrous layer that forms the outermost covering of the spinal cord and brain.

27
Q

What space contains the cerebralspinal fluid?

A

The subarachnoid space.

28
Q

What is the pia mater?

A

A connective tissue membrane that covers the surface of the CNS.

29
Q

The blood vessels supplying the nerves in the spinal cord are found in which meningeal layer?

A

The pia mater.

30
Q

What are horns?

A

Gray matter that project toward the outer surface of the spinal cord.

31
Q

What forms the H-shape?

A

A mass of gray matter.

32
Q

What is a nerve tract?

A

A bundle of axons in the CNS.

33
Q

What is a nerve?

A

A bundle of axons in the PNS.

34
Q

What are the four regions of the spinal cord? (Top to bottom)

A
  1. Cervical. 2. Thoracic. 3. Lumbar. 4. Sacral.
35
Q

What is the conus medullaris?

A

The tapered, lower end of spinal cord.

36
Q

What is the cauda equina?

A

Fibers of the filum terminale and the long ventral and dorsal roots (when seen in gross dissection).

37
Q

What is cervical enlargement?

A

The relative enlargement of the cervical portion of the spinal cord due to the abundance of CNS neurons involved with motor control of the arms.

38
Q

What does the cervical enlargement supply nerves to?

A

The pectorial girdle and upper limbs.

39
Q

What does the lumbosacral enlargement supply nerves to?

A

To the pelvis and lower limbs.

40
Q

Where is the central canal located?

A

Within the horizontal bar of the H.

41
Q

What do gray commissures contain? How many are there?

A

Axons decussating (crossing) from one side of the cord to the other. There are two of them.

42
Q

All spinal nerves form what two branches?

A
  1. A dorsal ramus. 2. A ventral ramus.
43
Q

What is the function of dorsal (posterior) ramus?

A

Receives sensory innervation from, and sends motor innervation to, the skeletal muscles of the back.

44
Q

What is the function of the ventral (anterior) ramus?

A

Supplies innervation to the ventrolateral body surface, structures in the body wall, and the limbs.

45
Q

What is a dematome?

A

A sensory region monitored by the posterior rami of a single spinal segment.

46
Q

When are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury ipsilateral.

A

When it crosses in the brain.

47
Q

When are the symptoms of an injury to the spinal cord contralateral?

A

When it crosses in the spinal cord.