Spinal Cord Anatomy Flashcards
How many pairs of spinal nerves exist?
31
What are the two enlargements of the spinal cord known as and what are they related to?
Cervical - related to the upper limb
Lumbar - related to the lower limb
What is the name of the first structures which arise from the spinal cord? What do these merge to from?
Rootlets, which merge to form anterior and posterior roots
At which vertebral level does the spinal cord end? What is this area known as?
L1/2, the conus medullaris
Where do spinal nerve roots travel through before they become spinal nerves?
Subarachnoid space
Which spinal nerve root is enlarged after passing through the intervertebral foramina?
Dorsal (posterior) root
Spinal nerve roots fuse to form what?
Spinal nerves
What do spinal nerves split into?
Anterior and posterior rami
At which vertebral level does the dura end?
S2
The spinal cord is suspended in the spinal canal by a ribbon of tissue on the lateral aspects of the cord known as what?
Denticulate ligament
What is the denticulate ligament formed of?
Pial and arachnoid tissue
Where does the central canal of the spinal cord open into rostrally?
The 4th ventricle
In the spinal cord, white matter is split into sections known as what?
Anterior, posterior and 2 lateral columns (fasciculi)
In the spinal cord, grey matter is split into anterior and posterior horns. At what spinal levels is there also a lateral horn?
T1-L2
The lateral horn of the spinal cord contains what nerve fibres?
Preganglionic sympathetic neurones
Which 3 groups of arteries are responsible for blood supply to the spinal cord?
Longitudinal arteries, segmental arteries, radicular arteries
How many longitudinal arteries supply the spinal cord?
Three- 2 posterior and 1 anterior
Where do longitudinal arteries arise from?
Vertebral arteries
Which group of arteries which supply the spinal cord run the entire length of the cord?
Longitudinal arteries
Where are segmental arteries derived from?
Vertebral, intercostal and lumbar arteries
Where do radicular arteries travel?
Along dorsal and ventral roots
Which groups of veins help to drain blood from the spinal cord?
Longitudinal veins, segmental veins, epidural venous plexus
In the spinal canal, the space between the dura and bone is known as what?
Epidural space
What is contained within the epidural space?
Adipose tissue and the epidural venous plexuses
The spinal cord ends at the conus medullaris - what does this continue as after this point?
A thin connective tissue cord, the filum terminale
Where does the filum terminale end?
It is anchored to the dorsum of the coccyx
