Spinal Cord Gross Anatomy

Question 1

Where is CNS tissue enclosed within the vertebral column?

Answer 1

from the foramen magnum to L₁/L₂

Question 2

Ascending communication is provided by?

Answer 2

Afferent fibers (sensory)

Question 3

Descending communication is provided by?

Answer 3

efferent fibers (motor)

Question 4

What protects the spinal cord?

Answer 4

bone, meninges, and CSF (like the brain)

Question 5

what is epidural space?

Answer 5

the space between the vertebrae and the dural sheath (dura mater) which is filled with fat and a network of veins

Question 6

How is epidural anesthesia delivered?

Answer 6

Into the epidural space via flexible cannula

Question 7

What is the terminal portion of the spinal cord called?

Answer 7

The Conus Medullaris

Question 8

Where does the spinal cord narrow to a cone shape?

Answer 8

between L1 and L2

Question 9

What will happen if a needle is inserted below L2?

Answer 9

It won’t hit the spinal cord (spinal tap/lumbar puncture; epidural anesthesia)

Question 10

What is the fibrous extension of the pia mater,

which anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx called?

Answer 10

Filum terminale

Question 11

What are the delicate shelves of pia mater,

which attach the spinal cord to the vertebrae called?

Answer 11

Denticulate ligaments

Question 12

How many pair of spinal nerves attach to the cord by paird roots?

Answer 12

31 pairs

Question 13

How are the spinal nerve pairs divided along the spinal column?

Answer 13

8 - cervical pairs

12 - thoracic pairs

5 - lumbar pairs

5 - sacral pairs

1 coccygeal pair

Question 14

How many cervical pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 14

8

Question 15

How many thoracic pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 15

12

Question 16

How many lumbar pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 16

5

Question 17

How many sacral pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 17

5

Question 18

How many coccygeal pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 18

1

Question 19

What are cervical and lumbar enlargements?

Answer 19

sites where nerveds serving the upper and lower limbs emerge, so large ventral horns and multiple nerve roots leaving the cord in these regions

Question 20

What is the Cauda equina (horse tail)?

Answer 20

Collection of nerve roots at the inferior end (below L₂)

Question 21

What makes up the Meninges of the spinal cord?

Answer 21

• Dura mater (single layer only; no periosteal attachment)
• Arachnoid mater with CSF in subarachnoid space
• Pia mater

Question 22

Where does the CSF circulate?

Answer 22

It circulates in the central canal which continues

superiorly into the medulla oblongata