Spinal Cord And Spinal Nerves Flashcards
Protective coverings of the spinal cord
The spinal cord is fragile so it’s protected by
•vertebra
•meninges
•cerebrospinal fluid
Spinal cord protection by the vertebra
Provides a boney covering
Spinal cord protection by the meninges
Bags of connective tissue containing blood vessels 3 types: •Dura Mater- outermost layer •Arachnoid Mater- middle layer •Pia Mater- innermost layer
Denticulate ligaments
Thickenings of the Pia mater that anchor the spinal nerve to the coccyx this is known as the filum terminale
Subarachnoid space
Located between the arachnoid and Pia mater.
Filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Where does the spinal cord begin and end
Starts: Medulla oblongata
• foreman magnum
Ends: 1st or 2nd lumbar vertebra
• conus medullaris
Cervical and lumbar enlargements
Innovation, meet up where arms and legs will be entering the spinal cord
Spinal cord functions
1) it processes reflexes
2) it is the site for integration nerve impulses that arise locally or are triggered by the periphery and brain
3) it is a conduction pathway for sensory impulses to the brain and motor impulses to effectors
Cauda equina
Rootlets
Tall of the horse
Sends sensory and motor neurons to the lower limbs
Internal anatomy of the spinal cord:
Anterior median fissure
Posterior median sulcus
Both penetrate the white matter and divide it into right and left sides
Gray matter of the spinal cord
Contains the grey commissure with in the centre is the central canal which contains CSF
An area of integration; make decisions
Posterior horns
Receive sensory information
Anterior horns
Send motor information
White matter of the spinal cord
Information highways to and from brain into and out of spinal cord
Posterior columns
Carry sensory information up spinal cord to the brain; touch sensations