Spinal Cord Contents Flashcards
how many cervical vertebrae?
8
where do cervical vertebrae exit?
C1-C7 = above
C8 = below C7
how many thoracic vertebrae?
12
how many lumbar vertebrae
5
how many sacral vertebrae?
5
how many coccygeal vertebrae?
1
lumbosacral enlargement innervation
anterior rami and sacral plexus
what level does the spinal cord taper off?
L1-L2
what is the tapering off of the spinal cord called?
conus medullaris
what is the horse tail?
cauda equina
what allows the sacral nerves to exit near their vertebrae?
cauda equina
what is the vestigial remnant of the coccygeal portion of the spinal cord?
filum terminale
which filum terminale is still within the dural sac?
filum terminale internum
which filum terminale attaches to the coccyx and acts as an anchor for the lower spinal cord and meninges?
filum terminale externum
what is the order of nerves and roots?
rootlets»_space; (a/p) roots»_space; dura mater»_space; nerve»_space; rami
what carries both sensory and motor fibers?
nerve
what is the meninges layer mnemonic?
DAP
which layer has fat?
extradural (epidural) space
what is the subdural space?
dura-arachnoid interface
which layer encloses CSF?
arachnoid mater and subarachnoid space
what are the spider webs?
arachnoid trabeculae
what kind of tissue is arachnoid mater?
elastic and fibrous tissue
what kind of tissue is arachnoid trabeculae
connective tissue
what does the lumbar cistern contain?
CSF and Cauda Equina in the subarachnoid space
what are the lateral extensions of the pia mater that help anchor the spinal cord and are suspended in CSF?
denticulate ligaments
where do the denticulate ligaments attach?
between anterior and posterior roots»_space; arachnoid mater
what keeps the spinal cord from going side to side?
denticulate ligaments
what keeps the spinal cord from going up and down?
filum terminale
what does the dura mater blend with?
epineurium
what do the arachnoid mater and pia mater blend with?
perinerurium
what will a fast flow rate of CSF do?
increase subarachnoid pressure (meningitis)
what is the normal flow rate of CSF?
1 drop per second
what is the red-orange discoloration caused by lysing of RBC for 12 hours
xanthocrhomia
what level is for an LP?
between L3-L4 or L4-L5
lumbar cistern
what position should an LP be done in?
- lateral decubitus
- knee-chest position
what does the LP position do?
spreads the spinous process and lamina
where are you when you hear the “pop”?
epidural space, go just a little deeper (4-6cm) to get to subarachnoid space (dural cistern)
when do you not do an LP?
- CT confirmed intracranial pressure
- bleeding disorder
- acute spinal trauma
- skin infection
why does a spinal injection work without numbing above the waist?
it is heavier than CSF
which numbing procedure cannot be repeated?
spinal injection
where does epidural go?
epidural space (never puncture meninges)
most common epidural?
caudal epidural (S2 down)
what is the largest nerve root compression?
L5
what is the smallest root compression?
Intervertebral foramen
what supplies the spinal cord? (3 longitudinal arteries)
- Anterior spinal artery (sulcal artery)
- 2 posterior spinal arteries
what is the blood supply of the roots of spinal nerves?
anterior/posterior radicular arteries
how is anterior spinal cord artery formed?
union of 2 vertebral arteries
how is posterior spinal cord artery formed?
from vertebral or posteroinferior arteries
map the arterial flow of the spinal cord
vertebral/intercostal/lumbar/sacral arteries»_space; segmental medullary arteries»_space; longitudinal artery
what artery reinforces circulation of 2/3 of spinal cord including lumbosacral enlargement?
greater anterior segmental medullary after (Adamkiewics)
what side is the greater anterior segmental medullary artery on in most people?
left
what can you use to image the spinal cord if you can’t use an MRI?
myelography
