Spinal Cord and reflexes Flashcards
dorsal root ganglian
cell bodies of sensory cells are located here
dorsal root
contains the afferent axons of the dorsal root ganglia
-thicker than ventral roots
ventral root
this is anterior to the dorsal root
- contains efferent axons of the somatic motor neurons
- at some levels, they contain visceral motor neurons that control peripheral efferectors
filium terminale
a thread that extends from L1 to the dorsum of the coccyx (connects the spinal cord to the first coccygeal vertebra)
- an extension of the pia mater
why does gray matter increase in the cervical and lumbar enlargement
- these contain interneurons
- the sections of the spinal cord that are concerned with the sensory and motor innervation of the limbs
what do interneurons do at the two places of enlargement in the spinal cord?
- relay arriving sensory information
2. coordinate the activities of somatic motor neurons that control complex muscles
white matter
contains myelinated and unmyelinated axons organized into tracts and columns
central canal
this contains cerebral spinal fluid and runs longitudinally through the spinal cord
-is surrounded by gray commissure
gray commissure
this is the area around the central canal
-contains axons crossing from one side of the cord to the other
ascending tract
carries sensory information toward the brain
descending tract
carries motor commands into the spinal cord
what is a tract
it is within a column of white matter and is made up of axons that share functional/structural characteristics
-axons are all uniform in diameter, myelination, and conduction speed
what is important to remember about the cervical spinal nerves
- there are 8 spinal nerves even through there are only 7 cervical vertebra
- C1-C6 has there corresponding nerve superior to it
- the C7 vertebra has a spinal nerve superior (C7) and inferior to it (C8), and then every vertebra after has there corresponding nerve inferior to the vertebra
what is significant about the spinal cord stopping growth at about age four.
There vertebral column continues to grow to support the adult skeleton so in order for the spinal nerves to exit the vertebra at the right vertebral foramen, they must continue to grow
- this results in the caudal equina
dorsal ramus
the dorsal branch of the spinal cord that merges into the spinal nerve before arriving at the dorsal root
-carries sensory information
ventral ramus
this is the ventral branch of the spinal cord
-carries motor information
spinal root
this is where the dorsal ramus and the ventral ramus merge and the information (sensory and motor) also mix
vertebral foramen
this is where the spinal cord passes through the vertebra
intervertebral foramen
this is where the spinal nerves leave the vertebral column
coccyx
attachment site for the pelvic floor muscles
superior articular process of sacrum
this articulates with L5
ventral foramina of sacrum
this is where the ventral rami of sacral spinal nerves pass
dorsal foramina of sacrum
this is where the dorsal rami of sacral spinal nerves pass