Spinal Cord Injuries Flashcards
Within the spinal cord, where is the sensory tract located?
Dorsal horn/columns
Motor are found anteriorly/ventrally
If the spinal cord is injured anteriorly, what tract will be affected?
- Motor tract (ventral corticospinal tract)
- Ventral spinothalamic
- Part of lateral spinothalamic tract
Where are the fibres that carry pain and temperature located in the spinal cord?
Lateral spinothalamic tract
Which part of the spinal cord carries fine touch and proprioception inputs?
Dorsal columns
What is the ventral spinothalamic tract responsible for?
Carrying light touch signals
If the spinal cord is injured posteriorly, what will be affected?
- Lateral corticospinal tract (motor)
- Dorsal columns
What is the most common cause of anterior cord syndrome?
Compression fracture, post trauma
POOR PROGNOSIS
What is the mechanism of central cord syndrome and what are the clinical signs?
Forced hyperextension (i.e. whiplash, injury more common in elderly + pts with cervical spondylosis)
Causes sensory and motor deficits:
- Upper > lower extremities
- Distals muscles > proximal muscles
Complete loss of motor function in Upper extremities. Incomplete loss of motor function in lower extremities
What are the clinical signs of anterior cord syndrome?
- Loss of motor BELOW lesion
- Loss of pain & temp sensation BELOW the injury
- Retains proprioception and vibration (part of unaffected dorsal column)
Why are upper extremities affected more than lower in central cord syndrome?
The nuclei of the lower extremities are found in the peripheries of the spinal cord, whereas the nuclei of the upper extremities are found more centrally and so are more affected
What is the mechanism of injury in Brown-Sequard syndrome and what are the clinical findings?
Penetrating trauma causing hemisection of the cord. This affects both dorsal and ventral parts of the cord
Clinical signs:
- Ipsilateral loss of motor, vibrations, and proprioception
- Contralateral loss of pain and temperature
GOOD PROGNOSIS
