Spinal Cord Function and Dysfunction Flashcards

1
Q

what are the two enlargements of the spinal cord?

A

cervical- C3-T2, extra motor neurones go to muscles of upper back

lumbosacral- T11-L2 extra motor neurones for the muscles of the lower limbs

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2
Q

what would be affected if the spinal cord is severed below the lumbosacral region?

A

bladder and bowel control

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3
Q

what lesion would cause a loss of breathing ability?

A

C3-C5

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4
Q

what is paraplegia?

A

loss of voluntary control of the lower limbs

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5
Q

where is CSF sampled from?

A

the lumbar cistern

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6
Q

how does the growth of spinal cord compare to the vertebral column?

A

spinal cord stop developing early whilst vertebral column continues growing into adulthood

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7
Q

what are the three meningeal layers?

A

dura mater
arachnoid
pia mater

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8
Q

where is CSF found in the meninges?

A

in the subarachnoid space

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9
Q

what Pia mater protrusions tether the spinal cord?

A

denticulate ligaments

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10
Q

what is contained in the extradural space between the dura and the cranium?

what can be done in this area?

A

venous plexuses and fatty tissues

this space can be used to inject anaesthetic

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11
Q

name examples of tracts in the spinal cord

A
lateral corticospinal tract (motor) 
dorsal columns (sensory)
spinothalamic tract (sensory)
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12
Q

what is the function of the lateral corticospinal tract?

A

fine movement

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13
Q

what is the function of the dorsal columns?

A

touch, vibration, pressure

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14
Q

what is the function of the spinothalamic tract?

A

pain and temperature

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15
Q

what is the 2 stage response to injury of the lateral corticospinal tract?

A

1) spinal shock
- loss of all reflex activity below the lesion level
- flaccid paralysis (no muscular tone)

2) hyperreflexia (return of reflexes)
- reflexes are over exaggerated
- rigid paralysis (high muscle tone) as motor neurones are activated by a lower threshold

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16
Q

what would cause a deficit on the same side as the lesion on the lateral corticospinal tract?

A

if the lesion is below the medulla where the crossing over (decussation) of the neurones occur.

17
Q

where do neurones of the dorsal column decussate?

A

level of the medulla

18
Q

where do neurones in the spinothalamic tract decussate?

A

dame level as the entry point of the sensory nerve into the spinal cord

19
Q

what is syringomyelia?

A

caused by enlargement of the central canal

20
Q

what are the characteristics of syringomyelia?

A

loss of temperature sensation in the arms but not the left due to the formation of the syrinx space in the spinal cord

21
Q

what is the effect of the syrinx space on the spinal cord?

A

selectively damages the spinothalamic axons that cross over at the level of the lesion but doesn’t affect the fibres that already cross it

22
Q

what are dermatomes and myotomes ?

A

derma- skin innervation (sensory, posterior root)

myo- muscle innervation (motor, anterior root)

23
Q

where do the fasciculus gracile and cuneatus come from?

A

gracile- lower body

cuneatus- upper body

24
Q

where are primary, secondary, tertiary neurones located?

A

primary on one side

secondary and tertiary on the other side due to decussation

25
Q

where is a lesion below t10 if there is loss of movement on the right side? what tract has been affected?

A

lesion on the right (ipsilateral)

corticospinal tract

26
Q

where is the lesion below t10 if there is loss of pain and temperature sensation on the right side?

A

lesion on the left (contralateral)

spinothalamic tract

27
Q

how can a seizure post-stroke be treated?

A

anti-convulsants:

Na+ channel blockers, GABAaR agonists, GABA-transaminase inhibitor.

28
Q

what is hemiparesis?

A

weakness of one entire side of the body

Hemiplegia is, in its most severe form, complete paralysis of half of the body.