SPINAL CORD AND BRAIN Flashcards

1
Q

What are the functions of the spinal meninges

A

To protect the spinal cord from the bony vertebral column and vascularise the spinal cord

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2
Q

What is the cauda equina and why does it exist?

A

A bundle of long spinal nerves. The spinal cord ends at L1-2 because the vertebral column grows faster then the spinal cord. The cauda equina allows for the spinal nerves to extend down to the lower limbs.

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3
Q

Where is the epidural space

A

Between the dura mater and the periosteum. In this space is nerve roots supplying the pelvis and lower limbs

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4
Q

Why are there larger diameters at the cervical and lumbar areas of the spinal cords

A

To accomodate for the nerve inputs of the brachial and lumbosacral plexus.

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5
Q

Explain the neural pathway of movement without conscious thought

A

Sensory neurons relay to a motor neuron in the spinal cord via an interneuron. Therefore movement can be performed without conscious thought as the nerve information does not travel to the brain.

This is the case for the patellar and pain reflexes

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6
Q

What is the filum terminale

A

Not a nerve. It is a modified band of pia mater, 20 cm long

In between conus medullaris (end of spinal cord) and1st coccygeal bone.

Provides stability to spinal cord within vertebral canal

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7
Q

What are the differences between cranial and spinal nerves

A

Cranial: exit cranial cavity through foramina, relate to special senses

Spinal: (exception of C1) arise from spinal cord and exit via intervertebral foramina. 31 bilateral pairs that have both sensory and motor neurons

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8
Q

Why are there 8 cervical spinal nerves if there are only 7 cervical vertebrae

A

1st cervical nerve is superior to atlas (C1). The rest exit between vertebrae. Making 8 in total

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9
Q

What is the role of the intercostal nerves

A

Somatic nerves that control:

intercostal muscles
thoracic pleura
abdominal peritoneum
anterior abdominal wall muscles

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10
Q

Explain the characteristics of the median nerve

A

C6-T1: Lateral and medial cords

Motor:
Superficial and deep flexors of anterior forearm compartment
Some intrinsic hand muscles

Sensory skin:
Anterolateral surface of hand

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11
Q

Explain the characteristics of the ulnar nerve

A

C8 + T1 + C7: Medial cord

Motor:
Some anterior forearm muscles
Ulnar 1/2 flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Deep head of flexor pollicis brevis
Intrinsic hand muscles

Sensory skin:
Medial edge of hand

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12
Q

Explain the characteristics of the radial nerve

A

C5-T1: Posterior cord

Motor:
Extensor muscles of posterior compartment of arm and forearm

Sensory skin:
Posterior arm and forearm
Dorsum of hand

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13
Q

Explain the characteristics of the femoral nerve

A

L2-L4

Motor:
Anterior thigh compartment
Hip flexors
Knee extensors (except Psoas major)

Sensory skin:
Over anteromedial surface of thigh
Medial surface of leg and foot

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14
Q

Explain the characteristics of the sciatic nerve

A

L4-S3

Motor:
Posterior thigh compartment by tibial division of sciatic nerve

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15
Q

Explain the characteristics of the common fibular nerve

A

Motor:
Deep part = anterior leg compartment (dorsiflexors)
Superficial part: Lateral leg compartment (eversion)
Short head of biceps femoris (Posterior thigh)

Sensory skin:
lateral leg
dorsum of foot and digits

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16
Q

Explain the characteristics of the tibial nerve

A

Motor:
Superficial and deep posterior leg compartments
Plantarflexion, inversion, leg flexion at knee

Sensory skin:
Posterolateral leg
Plantar surface of foot + digits

17
Q

Describe what components make up the parts of the brain

A

Forebrain: Diencephalon and cerebrum

Midbrain: Mesencephalon

Hindbrain: Cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata

Brainstem: Mesencephalon, pons, medulla oblongata

Spinal cord: Spinal cord, inferior to medulla oblongata

18
Q

What is the grey and white matter

A

grey: cell bodies
White myelinated axons

In brain: white on inside for more direct neuronal pathway

In spinal cord: white on outside

19
Q

CN 1: Olfactory nerve

A

SENSORY

Detects smell from olfactory area in nasal cavity

20
Q

CN 2: Optic nerve

A

SENSORY

Carries visual info from retina to

21
Q

CN 3: Oculomotor nerve

A

MOTOR

Controls intra and extra ocular muscles for eye movement

22
Q

CN 4: Trochlear nerve

A

MOTOR

Controls 1 superior extra ocular muscle for eye movement

23
Q

CN 5: Trigeminal nerve

A

SENSORY AND MOTOR

Sensory:
Faces, sinuses, teeth, gums, lips, palate

Motor:
Muscles of mastication

24
Q

CN 6: Abducens nerve

A

MOTOR

Controls 1 lateral extra ocular muscle for eye movement

25
Q

CN 7: Facial nerve

A

SENSORY AND MOTOR

Sensory:
Detects taste from anterior 2/3 of tongue

Motor: Muscles of facial expression

26
Q

CN 8: Vestibulocochlear nerve

A

SENSORY

Responsible for hearing, cochlear branch, responsible for orientation and balance

27
Q

CN 9: Glossopharyngeal nerve

A

SENSORY AND MOTOR

Sensory:
Detects taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue, sensation of pharynx, sinus, middle ear cavity

Motor:
Stylopharangeus muscle, paratoid gland

28
Q

CN 10: Vagus nerve

A

SENSORY AND MOTOR

Sensory:
Pharynx, larynx, bronchial tree, lungs, heart, upper GI tract

Motor:
Palate, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchial tree, heart, upper GI tract

29
Q

CN 11: Spinal accessory nerve

A

MOTOR

Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles

30
Q

CN 12: Hypoglossal nerve

A

MOTOR

Intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue

31
Q

What are the first 3 bulges of the neural tube and what do they become

A

Prosencephalon
telencephalon
diencephalon

Mesencephalon
mesencephalon

Rhombencephalon
metencephalon
myelencephalon

32
Q

What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum/telencephalon and what are they responsible for

A

Frontal: personality, behaviour, speech, movement

Parietal: Touch, pain, temperature

Occipital: Vision

Temporal: hearing

33
Q

What are nuclei when talking about the nervous system

A

Nuclei is an aggregation of cell bodies in the white matter (grey spots in white matter)

34
Q

What is the diencephalon made up of

A

Thalamus
hypothalamus
epithalamus
subthalamus

inner part of brain associated with limbic system (emotional system)

35
Q

What 3 parts is the mesencephalon (midbrain) made up of

A

colliculi
tegmentum (inside)
cerebral peduncles (outside)

36
Q

What are the metencephalon and the myelencephalon of the rhombencephalon made up of and function for

A

Metencephalon:
pons (regulates breathing)
cerebellum (coordinates movement)

Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata): Controls respiration from receptors, vomiting, coughing, sneezing

37
Q

Outline the blood of the circle of willis

A

Receives blood from:
2 vertebral arteries (right and left)
two internal carotid arteries (right and left)

Supplies cerebrum by:
anterior/ middle/ posterior cerebral artery

supplies cerebellum by:
superior/ anterior inferior/ posterior inferior cerebellar artery