Spinal Cord and Vertebrae

Question 1

Location of dorsal and ventral plates of the spinal cord and general functions of each

Answer 1

Dorsal – sensory to brain

Ventral – motor to periphery

Question 2

Why the spinal canal is larger than the spinal cord?

Answer 2

Prevents cord compression as the spine flexes and extends.

Question 3

Termination of spinal cord in the horse

Answer 3

S2

Question 4

Dorsal and ventral longitudinal ligament

Answer 4

Dorsal – within the vertebral foramen on the dorsal aspect of the vertebral bodies. This ligament resists overflexion of the spine

Ventral – lies on the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies and resists overextension of the spine

Question 5

Contents of intervertebral foramen (9)

Answer 5

1. dorsal root ganglion
2. dura
3. CSF
4. Fat
5. Spinal nerve
6. Artery/vein
7. Lymphatics
8. Intraforaminal ligaments
9. Recurrent meningeal nerve

Question 6

Borders (5) of intervertebral foramen

Answer 6

1. pedicles
2. vertebral bodies
3. intervertebral disc
4. z-joint (facets)
5. ligamentum flavum

Question 7

Pathology that can interfere with the IVF and its contents

Answer 7

Bone spurs

Inflammation

Question 8

How the ligamentum flavum can affect the dorsal root ganglion

Answer 8

Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum can compress the DRG

Question 9

What spinal segments supply innervation to the z-joint?

Answer 9

• Level of the joint
• Levels cranial
• Levels caudal

Question 10

Primary and secondary cervical curve and the direction of curvature

Answer 10

Primary – upper – kyphotic

Secondary – lower - lordotic

Question 11

Definition of coupled motion and how it applies to the cervical spine

Answer 11

Motion around one axis that is consistently and automatically associated with movement around a second axis.

Lateral flexion is always coupled with some axial rotation