Spinal Cord & Spinal Nerves Flashcards
Which of the following provide protection for the spinal cord?
A) vertebra
B) meninges
C) cerebrospinal fluid
D) A and B are correct.
*E) A, B and C are correct. *
Place the meninges and associated spaces in order from most superficial to deepest:
- subarachnoid space
- pia mater
- arachnoid mater
- epidural space
- dura mater
- subdural space
A) 4, 5, 6, 3, 1, 2
B) 4, 5, 6, 3, 2, 1
C) 4, 5, 6, 1, 3, 2
D) 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3
E) 4, 5, 6, 2, 3, 1
Which of the following is NOT true?
A) The dura mater is composed of dense irregular connective tissue.
B) The subdural space is filled with interstitial fluid.
C) The arachnoid mater is the most vascular meninx.
D) The subarachnoid space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
E) The pia mater adheres directly to the spinal cord (and brain).
The spinal cord
A) is flattened somewhat laterally.
B) is characterized by thoracic and sacral enlargements.
C) is longer than the vertebral column.
D) is contiguous with the medulla oblongata.
E) is tapered into a cone called the conus medullaris at its superior end.
CJ and Tye are studying a model of cross-section of the spinal cord in lab. CJ is confused about which side of the model is anterior vs. which is posterior. Tye says that it is easy to tell which side is which. What does Tye use to distinguish between the sides of the model?
A) The posterior (dorsal) side will have a ganglion on the nerve root.
B) The anterior (ventral) median fissure is deeper and wider than the posterior median sulcus.
C) The central canal is closer to the posterior side.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B and C are correct.
The gray matter of the spinal cord
A) is primarily found at the periphery of the cord.
B) contains the myelinated axons of motor neurons.
C) contains the cell bodies and dendrites of neurons.
D) excludes neuroglia.
E) is shaped like the letter C or a caterpillar.
The gray matter of the spinal cord
A) contains groups of cell bodies called tracts
B) in the anterior horn contains somatic and autonomic sensory nuclei.
C) in the posterior horn contains somatic and autonomic sensory nuclei.
D) in the lateral horn contains somatic motor nuclei.
E) All of these are correct.
The white matter of the spinal cord
A) is divided into anterior, posterior and lateral columns.
B) contains ascending myelinated axons in groups called sensory tracts.
C) contains descending myelinated axons in groups called motor tracts.
D) A and B are correct.
*E) A, B and C are correct. *
A tumor is growing in the left lateral horns of several segments of a patient’s spinal cord. How might these tumors affect the patient?
A) The patient may not be able to feel somatic sensations from the chest down.
B) The patient may not be able to move the lower extremities.
C) The patient may have simple difficulty regulating cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B and C are correct.
The spinal nerves
A) allow communication between the spinal cord and the brain.
B) have posterior sensory roots.
C) have anterior root ganglia containing cell bodies of motor neurons.
D) have posterior motor roots.
E) exit the vertebral column anteriorly between the intervertebral discs and the vertebral bodies.
Spinal nerves are
A) identified based on the region and level of the vertebral column from which they emerge.
B) are mixed nerves containing both motor and sensory fibers.
C) are all aligned with their corresponding vertebrae.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B and C are correct.
The connective tissue coverings of nerve fibers
A) are organized in a similar manner to those of muscle fibers.
B) are present only on unmyelinated nerves.
C) are identical to the meninges.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B and C are correct.
Which of the following is NOT a branch of a spinal nerve?
A) ventral ramus
B) dorsal ramus
C) dorsal root
D) meningeal ramus
E) ramus communicante
A patient is transported to the emergency room after being stabbed in the back several times with a broken ice pick. The attacker was apparently aiming for the spinal cord, but was not successful in penetrating the vertebrae. The physician is most worried about one wound; he mutters something about the rami communicantes. Why would the physician be concerned about damage there?
A) The rami communicantes are part of the control of the skin and the deep muscles of the back.
B) The rami communicantes are part of the ANS, which controls vital functions.
C) The rami communicantes are part of the control of the muscles of the limbs.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B and C are correct.
Which spinal nerves go directly to the tissues they supply rather than forming a plexus?
A) C1 through C4
B) C4 through T1
C) T2 through T12
D) L1 through L5
E) S1 through S5
Which plexus supplies the skin and muscles of the head, neck, and superior part of the shoulders and chest?
A) brachial
B) cervical
C) coccygeal
D) lumbar
E) sacral
Which nerve does NOT arise from the cervical plexus?
A) greater auricular nerve
B) ansa cervicalis
C) transverse cervical
D) phrenic
E) axillary
Which plexus supplies the skin and muscles of the shoulders and upper extremities?
A) brachial
B) cervical
C) coccygeal
D) lumbar
E) sacral
Which nerve arises from the brachial plexus?
A) axillary
B) suprascapular
C) musculocutaneous
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B and C are correct.
Which nerve does NOT arise from the brachial plexus?
A) radial
B) perforating cutaneous
C) ulnar
D) median
E) medial pectoral
Which plexus supplies the anterolateral abdominal wall, external genitals, and part of the lower limbs?
A) brachial
B) cervical
C) coccygeal
D) lumbar
E) sacral
Which nerve does NOT arise from the lumbar plexus?
A) iliohypogastric
B) ilioinguinal
C) tibial
D) femoral
E) obturator