Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Y2 CONTROL & MOVEMENT > Spinal Cord & Spinal Nerves > Flashcards

Spinal Cord & Spinal Nerves Flashcards

1
Q

What are the following subdivisions of the nervous system?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the difference between grey and white matter?

A

Grey matter:

  • collection of nerve cell bodies

White matter:

  • axons with glial sheath (myelin)
  • myelin is a fatty substance that appears white
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where is grey matter located within the CNS and PNS?

A

CNS:

  • in the cortex - the outer layer of the hemispheres
  • in the nuclei deep in the cortex

PNS:

  • within the ganglia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What occurs within the gray matter?

A

Synapses occur within the gray matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the difference between white matter in the CNS and PNS?

A

CNS:

  • it is located in a pathway
  • e.g. Tracts, fascicles, bundles

PNS:

  • peripheral nerves
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the purpose of the vertebral column?

A

It contains and protects the spinal cord and beginning of the spinal nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the different types of vertebrae within the vertebral column?

A
  • 7 cervical
  • 12 thoracic
  • 5 lumbar
  • sacrum (5 fused)
  • coccyx (3-4 fused)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is significant about the spinal cord with respect to the vertebral column?

A

The spinal cord narrows at the end

It ends before the vertebral column ends

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the roles of the spinal cord?

A
  • Part of the CNS
  • Reflex centre
  • Conduction pathway between the brain and the body
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where does the spinal cord extend from and to?

A

It extends from the foramen magnum of the occipital bone

it is continuous with the medulla oblongata

it runs to the vertebral levels LI - LII, where it terminates as the conus medullaris

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What happens when the spinal cord terminates as the conus medullaris?

A

Single nerves leave from the region of the conus medullaris as the cauda equina

this gives rise to spinal nerves (PNS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Label the components of the spinal cord

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the filum terminale?

A

A small extension of pia mater that attaches the spinal cord to the coccyx

this gives stability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the roles of the cervical and lumbosacral enlargements?

A

They are thicker, larger regions of the spinal cord

they give rise to nerves that innervate the upper and lower limbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

In order to see the spinal cord, which layer must be opened?

A

The dural sac

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the composition of the spinal cord like from top to bottom?

A
  • 8 cervical segments (C1 - C8)
  • 12 thoracic segments (T1 - T12)
  • 5 lumbar segments (S1 - S5)
  • 1 coccygeal segment (Co1)
  • conus medullaris
  • cauda equina
  • filum terminale
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is meant by a ‘segment’ of the spinal cord?

How many spinal nerve segments are they and what do they form?

A

A segment refers to a pair of spinal nerves

there are 31 spinal nerve segments, each giving rise to a pair of segmental spinal nerves

31 pairs of spinal nerves form the PNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Which features of the spinal cord are shown here?

A

Lumbar cistern:

  • expansion of subarachnoid space that surrounds the cauda equina

Dural sac:

  • extends to the level of S1

Filum terminale:

  • this is an extension of the pia
  • it extends to attach to the coccyx
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Where is the conus medullaris located?

A

This is the termination of the spinal cord

It is situated between L1 and L2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What nerves are found within the cervical enlargement?

A

The brachial plexus (C1 - C8)

this supplies the upper limb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What nerves are found within the lumbosacral enlargement?

A

The lumbosacral plexus (L1 - S4)

this supplies the lower limb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What nerves are found within the cauda equina?

A

Dorsal and ventral roots of lower lumbar, sacral and coccygeal spinal nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is meant by the spinal nerve transition zone?

A

At vertebral levels C1 - C7, the spinal nerve leaves above the corresponding vertebra

C8 leaves below the corresponding vertebra

all nerves below this level leave below their respective vertebra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the difference in the way the cervical spinal nerves leave the spinal cord?

A

Spinal nerves C1 - C7:

  • leave the vertebral column superior to their corresponding vertebra
  • C1 from above CI, C2 from above CII….

C8 spinal nerve:

  • leaves from above TI
  • there are only 7 cervical vertebrae
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How do spinal nerves T1 - C0 leave the spinal cord?

A

They leave from below their corresponding vertebra

ALL spinal nerves leave the spinal cord via the intervertebral foramina

28
Q

Label the meninges and features of the spinal cord

A
29
Q

What are the denticulate ligaments?

A

Extensions of pia that attach the spinal cord to the outer meningeal layers

this secures the spinal cord laterally

30
Q

What are the subdural and subarachnoid spaces of the spinal cord?

A

Subdural space:

  • this is a potential space between the dura and arachnoid mater

Subarachnoid space:

  • this is a real space between the pia and arachnoid
  • it is filled with CSF
31
Q

What happens to the spinal nerves as they leave the vertebral canal?

A

As each spinal nerve leaves the vertebral canal it takes with it the meningeal coverings

these go on to form the epineurium

this is a protective outer sheath of connective tissue

32
Q

What are the main differences between the spinal and cranial dura?

A
  • Cranial dura has an inner meningeal layer and outer periosteal layer
  • Spinal dura only has a meningeal layer
  • the epidural space in the cranium is a potential space
  • it can become a pathological space if there is bleeding
  • the epidural space in the spinal cord is a real space
  • it is filled with fat
33
Q

Label the differences of the spinal and cranial dura

A
34
Q

How does the spinal cord change in length during development?

Why?

A

During development, the dural sac grows along the vertebrae but not the spinal cord

the bones of the vertebral column grow faster than the spinal cord, leading to regression of the spinal cord

35
Q
A
36
Q

What is the consequence of changes in spinal cord length on spinal nerve roots?

A

The spinal nerve roots show disparity between their segmental attachment to the cord and the corresponding vertebral levels

within the cervical region, the nerves close to the vertebrae leave close to their point of origin

nearer the end of the spinal cord, the nerves travel down to leave below their vertebra

these form the cauda equina

37
Q

Label the diagram and the position of the needles for performing certain procedures

A
38
Q

What is the role of the ligamentum flavum?

A

It connects the lamina of adjacent vertebrae

the needle for lumbar puncture passes between the vertebrae through the ligamentum flavum to reach the dural sac and obtain CSF

39
Q

Where should the needle be inserted for lumbar puncture?

How should the patient be positioned?

A

The needle is inserted between LIV and LV

the needle is inserted into the lumbar cistern

due to the cauda equina, the nerve roots move out of the way when the needle is inserted

the patient should be hunched over or in the foetal position to stretch the space between the vertebrae

40
Q

Where should the needle be inserted for epidural anaesthesia?

A

Within the lumbar region or sacral hiatus

the needle is only inserted into the epidural space

41
Q

Label the sulci of the spinal cord

What structures pass through them?

A

Blood vessels travel in the posterior median sulcus and anterior median fissure

rootlets that form spinal nerves travel in the posterior lateral sulcus and anterior lateral sulcus

42
Q

Label the arterial supply to the spinal cord

Where do the vessels originate from?

A

The anterior and posterior spinal arteries are branches of the vertebral artery

the segmental spinal artery arises from a branch of the aorta (depending on the location within the spinal cord)

The segmental spinal artery gives rise to the medullary artery

the medullaris artery give rise to the anterior & posterior radicular arteries which supply the roots of nerves

43
Q

What are the different segmental spinal arteries depending on the location within the spinal cord?

A
  • Vertebral artery
  • deep cervical artery
  • posterior intercostal artery
  • lumbar arteries
  • lateral sacral artery
44
Q

What is the main difference in the grey and white matter in the CNS?

A

Brain:

  • grey matter is found in the cortex and nuclei - the outside
  • white matter is found on the inside

Spinal cord:

  • grey matter is found on the inside
  • white matter is found on the outside of the spinal cord
45
Q

How is grey matter organised within the spinal cord?

A

It is organised into horns

  1. Dorsal horn
  2. Ventral horn
  3. Lateral horn - only present T1-L2 and S2-S4
46
Q

What is significant about the lateral horn?

A

It only exists between T1 - L2 and S2 - S4

47
Q

How is white matter organised within the spinal cord?

A

It is organised into columns

  1. Dorsal white column
  2. Ventral white column
  3. Lateral white column
  4. Ventral white commisure
48
Q

What is the ventral white commisure?

A

An area of white matter that connects the left and right sides of the spinal cord

49
Q

What horns/columns are represented in this transverse section of the spinal cord?

A
50
Q

label the transverse section of the spinal cord

A
51
Q

What are the 2 types of fibres within the peripheral nervous system?

A

The PNS is all the connections outside of the brain and spinal cord

sensory (afferent) fibres:

  • these send information from the periphery towards the CNS

motor (efferent) fibres:

  • these send information away from the CNS and towards the periphery
52
Q

How is the spinal cord connected with the PNS?

A

Via nerve rootlets

each spinal level gives rise to 1 pair of spinal nerves

these spinal nerves are part of the PNS

53
Q

Label the components of a spinal nerve

A
54
Q

Where do the dorsal and ventral rootlets of the spinal cord leave from?

A

dorsal rootlets:

  • leave from posterolateral sulcus

ventral rootlets:

  • leave from anterolateral sulcus
55
Q
A
56
Q

Label the transverse section of the spinal cord and spinal nerve

A

Somatic and visceral sensory fibres travel through the dorsal root ganglion and dorsal root

somatic motor fibres travel through the ventral root

visceral motor fibres travels through the ventral horn and into the spinal nerve

57
Q

What is the purpose of the reflex arc?

A

When there is no time to pass through the normal pathway

a sensory neurone connects directly to a motor neurone for a rapid response via an interneurone

58
Q

How does the amount of white matter change as you go through the spinal cord?

A

The amount of white matter increases as you ascend the cord

i.e. there is more white matter in the cervical cord than the lumbar cord

59
Q
A
60
Q

What is significant about the size of the ventral grey horn in certain locations of the spinal cord?

A

The ventral grey horn is enlarged where motor fibres to limbs arise

these are the cervical and lumbosacral enlargements

they contain cell bodies from motor neurones innervating the upper and lower limbs

61
Q

What are the dorsal columns of white matter present on either side of the midline in the spinal cord?

How do these change as you ascend the spinal cord?

A

Gracile fascicle:

  • This is located medially
  • it runs the entire length of the spinal cord
  • it carries sensory information from the lower limb

Cuneate fascicle:

  • this is located laterally
  • it is only present above segment T6
  • it carries sensory information from the upper limb
62
Q

Label the sections of the spinal cord

A
63
Q

What are the functions of the cuneate and gracile tubercles?

A

Tubercles contain cell bodies

The gracile and cuneate fascicles terminate as the gracile and cuneate tubercle

these are part of the dorsal column pathway

the cuneate tubercle carries sensory information from the upper limb

the gracile tubercle carries sensory information from the lower limb

64
Q

Is this section from above or below T6?

How can you tell?

A

Above T6

this is a thoracic vertebral section as the lateral grey horn is present here

there is also a small ventral grey horn

65
Q

How is spinal grey matter divided?

A

The grey matter is divided into regions called Rexed’s laminae

these are sites of sensory or motor nuclei

66
Q
A

Y2 CONTROL & MOVEMENT (69 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions