Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

Question 1

what is the function difference between dorsal and ventral nerve roots

Answer 1

Dorsal - sensory in

Ventral - motor out

Question 2

where of dorsal and ventral unite to form the spinal nerves

Answer 2

distal to dorsal root ganglia

Question 3

What are the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal nerves and what do they supply

Answer 3

Dorsal - trunk (skin and muscles of the back)

Ventral - Trunk and limbs

Question 4

What is the thin Pial thread?

Answer 4

tapered end of the spinal cord that continues to attach to the coccyx

Question 5

what makes up the cauda equina?

Answer 5

lower lumbar, sacral, coccygeal nerve roots,

Question 6

where does the caudal equina descend through?

Answer 6

the lumbar cistern - the region of subarachnoid space between the level of termination of the cord and the level at which the “tubes” of dura and arachnoid terminate (s2)

Question 7

What vertebral level is the termination of the cord in adults

Answer 7

L2

Question 8

what level is the termination of the cord in neonates

Answer 8

L3

Question 9

what level is the termination of subarachnoid space (inferiorly and superiorly)

Answer 9

S2 and Skull

Question 10

what level is the termination of the epidural space (inferiorly and superiorly)

Answer 10

tip of sacrum and foramen magnum

Question 11

name 3 conditions where the CSF is altered

Answer 11

meningitis, haemorrhage in the brain, tumours in CNS

Question 12

what surface landmark do you use for lumbar puncture

Answer 12

L4 - at the level of the superior boarder for the iliac crest

Question 13

why do you ask patients to curl up when doing a lumbar puncture

Answer 13

to increase the size of the gaps between vertebrae

Question 14

starting with the skin list the layers punctured during a lumbar puncture

Answer 14

skin, fascia, muscle, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligaments flavum, epidural space, fat, dura