Spinal cord

Question 1

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord end?

Answer 1

L1/L2

Question 2

Name of the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 2

Meninges

Question 3

Name of opening within each vertebra through which the spinal cord travels?

Answer 3

Vertebral foreamen

Question 4

At what level s a lumbar puncture performed and why?

Answer 4

Between L2 and L5 to avoid hitting the spinal cord as it terminates before L2

Question 5

What is the consequence of complete transection of the spinal cord?

Answer 5

Paralysis/ loss of sensory information and motor ability in all body parts innervated by axons which exit the spinal cord distal to the site of the lesion

Question 6

What is the name of the opening in the skull from which the spinal cord emerges?

Answer 6

Foreamen magnum

Question 7

Describe how the shape of the grey matter changes at cervical/ lumbar regions

Answer 7

Large ventral and dorsal horns due to increased number of neurons (upper and lower limbs)

Question 8

Describe how the shape of the grey matter changes at thoracic regions

Answer 8

Small ventral and dorsal horns, presence of lateral horn containing cell bodies for sympathetic NS