Spinal Cord Morphology

Question 1

anterior spinal artery supplies what and disruption of blood flow to it causes what

Answer 1

supplies gray matter and anteromedial portion of white matter of SC
-disruption = central cord syndrome

Question 2

what artery supplies 75% of the posterior columns

Answer 2

posterior spinal arteries

Question 3

the great anterior artery of adamkiewics arises from ____ or ____ and contributes to the _____ artery

Answer 3

left inferior intercostal or superior lumbar arteries

contributes to the anterior spinal artery

Question 4

what artery is the major blood supply to the inferior 2/3 of the spinal cord and when may it be compromised

Answer 4

great anterior artery of adamkiewicz

compromised during thoracolumbar fracture or surgical repair of AAA

Question 5

what areas are most usually involved in ischemic necrosis of the spinal cord

Answer 5

areas adjacent to cervical and lumbar enlargements

-need multiple blood supplies to survive, if lose one source then damaged

Question 6

syringomyelia is what and occurs secondarily to what

Answer 6

gross cavitation of gliosis of the central canal usually in cervical regions of the cord
-may occur secondary to central cord syndrome

Question 7

enlargement of the syrinx in syringomyelia can lead to what 4 things

Answer 7

descrution of anterior white commisure
asymmetrical destruction of lateral corticospinal tracts
anterior horn destruction
posterior columns may be affected

Question 8

what does destruction of the anterior white commisure cause

Answer 8

bilateral loss of pain and temp sensations to upper extremities

Question 9

where is the conus medullaris located

Answer 9

LV1-2

Question 10

what is the cauda equina

Answer 10

collection of dorsal and ventral roots which course through lumbar cistern and exit

Question 11

what is the lumbar cistern and clinical relevance

Answer 11

expansion of subarachnoid space from conus medullais to end of dural sac at S2

• continuous with subarachnoid space surrounding SC and brain
• spot for anesthesia and lumbar puncture

Question 12

muscle tone and proprioception is controlled by what pathway

Answer 12

gamma efferent pathway, innervate the intrafusal fibers

intrafusal muscle cells control amount of tension

Question 13

what kind of motor neurons are alpha and gama neurons

Answer 13

lower motor neurons

Question 14

increased gamma motor activity causes what

Answer 14

increase muscle tone or hypertonia and associated reflex or hyperrelexia

Question 15

location of substantia gelatinosa

Answer 15

posterolateral tip of dorsal horn at all spinal levels

Question 16

nucleus proprius location

Answer 16

mid-portion of the dorsal horn

Question 17

nucleus dorsalis location

Answer 17

base of dorsal horn mainly thoracolumbar region

Question 18

fibers in the medial division of the dorsal root enter the ____ and convey what

Answer 18

posterior columns

-convey proprioception, 2-pt tactile discrimination and vibratory info

Question 19

fibers in the lateral division of the dorsal root enter the _____ and convey what

Answer 19

dorsolateral fasciculis of lissaur and convey pain and temp