Spinal cord pathology Flashcards
The spinal cord runs from C1 to…
L1/2
What is at the end of the spinal cord?
Conus medullaris and cauda equina
What is paralysis of one side of the body called?
Hemiplegia
What is paralysis of both legs called?
Paraplegia
Hemiplegia occurs due to presence of a ____ lesion
brain
Paraplegia occurs due to presence of a ____ lesion
cord
What does the dorsal column medial lemniscus (DCML) carry?
sensory modalities of fine touch, proprioception and vibration
What are the 2 parts of the DCML (the first order neurones in the spinal cord)?
Fasciculus cuneatus (T6 and above)
Fasciculus gracilis (below T6)
Where does the DCML decussate?
Medulla oblongata
Where do the second order neurons of the DCML travel?
From nucleus gracilis or nucleus cuneate across to contralateral side in medulla and up the contralateral medial lemniscus to the thalamus
Where do the third order neurons of the DCML travel?
From thalamus up through the internal capsule to the sensory cortex
What does the spinothalamic tract carry?
Sensory modalities of pain and temperature
Where does the spinothalamic tract decussate?
1-2 spinal levels above dorsal entry
What information does the corticospinal tract carry?
Motor information
Where does the corticospinal tract travel?
From cortex, converge and descend through the internal capsule.
The lateral corticospinal tract decussate in the medulla and travel down spinal cord to terminate in ventral horn and synapse to lower motor neurons.
The anterior cortical spinal tract remains ipsilateral descending into spinal cord. Decussate and terminate in ventral horn of cervical and upper thoracic segmental levels.
