Spinal Cord

Question 1

Major reflex center and conduction pathway between the body and the brain

Answer 1

Spinal cord

Question 2

Describe the shape of the spinal cord

Answer 2

Cylindrical, slightly flattened anteriorly and posteriorly

Question 3

The spinal cord begins as a continuation of the

Answer 3

Medulla oblongata

Question 4

This is the caudal part of the brain stem

Answer 4

Medulla

Question 5

Length of spinal cord in adults

Extends from -

Answer 5

42-45 cm long

Foramen magnum in the occipital bone to the L1 or L2 vertebra

Question 6

Tapering inferior end of spinal cord

Answer 6

Conus medullaris

Question 7

Conus medullaris may terminate as high as — and as low as —

Answer 7

T12 vertebra

L3 vetebra

Question 8

Spinal cord occupies what fraction of the vertebral canal

Answer 8

Superior 2/3

Question 9

Number of nerves of the cervical segment

Answer 9

8

Question 10

Number of nerves of thoracic level

Answer 10

12

Question 11

Number of nerves of:
Lumbar
Sacral
Coccygeal

Answer 11

5
5
1

Question 12

Nerve C1 passes superior or inferior to vertebra C1

Answer 12

Superior

Question 13

True or False: Cervical spinal nerves bear the same aloha-numeric designation as the vertebrae forming the superior margin of the IV foramina

Answer 13

False - inferior IV foramina

Question 14

Spinal nerves T1 to Co1 bear the same alphanumeric designation as the vertebrae forming the SUPERIOR or INFERIOR margin of their exit?

Answer 14

Superior

Question 15

True or False: The first cervical nerves lack posterior roots in 70% of people and their coccygeal nerve may be absent.

Answer 15

False - 50%

Question 16

True or False: In embryos, the spinal cord only occupies 1/3 of the whole length of the vertebral canal

Answer 16

False - whole length

Question 17

True or False: In embryos, the cord segments lie approximately at the vertebral level of the lower number.

Answer 17

False - same number

Thus, spinal nerves passing laterally to exit the corresponding IV foramen

Question 18

During the end of what embryonic week does the tail-like caudal eminence disappear and the number of coccygeal vertebrae is reduced?

Answer 18

8th week

Question 19

By the end of embryonic period, coccygeal vertebrae is reduced from — to — segments.

Answer 19

6 to 4

Question 20

Does the spinal cord in the vertebral canal of the coccyx atrophy?

Answer 20

Yes. By the end of 8th week

Question 21

True or False:

During the fetal period, the spinal cord grows faster than the vertebral column.

Answer 21

False. The vertebral column grows faster than the spinal cord; thus, the cord ascends relative to the vertebral canal.

Question 22

At birth, the tip of conus medullaris is at what vertebral level?

Answer 22

L4-L5 level

Question 23

True or False:

In postnatal life, the vertebral column is shorter than the spinal cord

Answer 23

False. The spinal cord is shorter than the vertebral column;thus, there is obliquity of spinal nerve roots

Question 24

The length of the nerve roots decreased progressively. True or False?

Answer 24

False. Because the distance between the origin of a nerve’s roots from the spinal cord and the nerve’s exit from the vertebral canal increases as the inferior of the vertebral column is approached, the length of the nerve roots also increases progressively.

Question 25

What nerve roots are the longest?

Answer 25

Lumbar and sacral

Question 26

These nerve roots extend far beyond the termination of the adult spinal cord at approx. the level of — to reach the remaining lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal IV foramina

Answer 26

Lumbar and sacral L2

Question 27

Lumbar and sacral nerve roots are thus loose arising from the lumbosacral enlargement and the conus medullaris coursing within

Answer 27

Lumbar cistern of CSF caudal to the termination of the spinal cord

Question 28

Loose bundle of nerve roots which resembles a horse’s tail

Answer 28

Cauda equina

Question 29

Arises from the tip of the conus medullaris and descends among the spinal nerve roots in the cauda equina

Answer 29

Filum terminale

Question 30

A vestigial remnant of the caudal part of the spinal cord that was in the tail-like caudal eminence of the embryo

Answer 30

Filum terminale

Question 31

Proximal end of filum terminale which consists of vestiges of neural tissue, connective tissue, and neuroglial tissue covered by pia mater

Answer 31

Filum terminale externum (pial part of the terminal filum)

Question 32

When the filum terminale perforates the inferior end of the dural sac gaining a layer of dura and continuing through the sacral hiatus, it is referred to as

Answer 32

Filum terminale externum (dural part of the terminal filum aka coccygeal ligament) It then attaches to dorsum of coccyx

Question 33

It is an anchor for the inferior end of the spinal cord and spinal meninges

Answer 33

Filum terminale