Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

How many main ascending tracts are there and what kind of information do they transmit?

Answer 1

There are three main Ascending Tracts - they transmit sensory information from peripheral nerves to the cerebral cortex.

Question 2

Name all major ascending tracts and identify the type of sensory information they transmit.

Answer 2

Dorsal Column (Medial Lemniscus) - Gracile fasciculus & cuneate fasciculus - Touch, position sense and vibration

Spinothalamic - Pain and Temperature Information

Spinocerebellar - proprioceptive information

Question 3

What are the main descending pathways and what type of information do they transmit?

Answer 3

There are 5 main descending tracts, they transmit motor information from the cerebral cortex to peripheral nerves to innervate muscle movement.

Question 4

What are the main descending pathways?

Answer 4

Corticospinal Tracts (anterior and lateral) = lateral - motor information to limbs, anterior - motor information to axial muscles

Vestibulospinal = Integration of head and neck with trunk and extremities

Reticulospinal = lateral - facilitates flexion & inhibits extension

Rubrospinal = fine motor movements in upper limbs

Tectospinal = control muscles in response to visual stimuli

Question 5

What are the two main types of SCI?

Answer 5

Complete and Incomplete

Question 6

What areas are affected in a person who is tetraplegic (also known as quadriplegic)?

Answer 6

Impairment or loss of motor control and/or sensory function in cervical segments of the cord - ALL four limbs and trunk affected.

Question 7

Name the four types of incomplete SCI

Answer 7

Central Cord Syndrome
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Cauda Equina Syndrome

Question 8

Name 5 symptoms that occur as a result of autonomic dysfunction

Answer 8

1) Impairment of vasomotor control
2) Postural hypotension
3) Autonomic dysreflexia
4) Problems with bowel and bladder function
5) Problems with sexual function

Question 9

Name at least TWO non-traumatic lesions which cause spinal cord injuries

Answer 9

• Degenerative disc disease & spinal canal stenosis
• Spinal infarct
• Tumour
• Inflammation of spinal cord
• Viral infection
• Developmental/ congenital abnormalities

Question 10

The Autonomic Nervous System is divided into two sections - name these.

Answer 10

Parasympathetic Nervous System and Sympathetic Nervous System