spinal cord + spinal nerves (theory) Flashcards

1
Q

proof of spinal cord-brain independent functioning

A
  1. the brain can still function if one is quadriplegic
  2. one can still have reflexes even if the brain is injured
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1
Q

spinal cord and brain interactions

A
  1. both can integrate and process information
  2. both can function with each other
  3. both can also function independently of each other
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2
Q

spinal cord general features

A
  1. 45 cm in length (18 in)
  2. passes through the foramen magnum
  3. ends between L1 and L2
  4. has enlargements
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3
Q

spinal cord regions

A
  1. cervical
  2. thoracic
  3. lumbar
  4. sacral
  5. coccygeal
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4
Q

spinal taps and spinal cord ending

A

the spinal cord ends between L1 and L2 of the lumbar region, spinal taps are done below L2 to prevent spinal injury because the meninges of the spinal cord continues past L2 and still contains some CSF

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5
Q

enlargements

A

bulges or collections of nerves coming off the the spinal cord

ex… cervical and lumbosacral enlargements

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6
Q

spinal cord anchoring

A
  1. crista gali
  2. filum terminale

the crista gali anchors the spinal cord (cephalically) and the filum terminale anchors it caudally

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7
Q

cauda equina

A

means “horse tail”

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8
Q

subarachnoid space

A

between the arachnoid and pia matters of the brain and spinal cord

CSF is present in this space in the spinal cord

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9
Q

filum terminale

A

this anchors the spinal cord caudally

the filum terminale eventually becomes a component of the coccygeal ligament

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10
Q

crista gali

A

the spinal cord dura matter is continuous with brain’s dura matter

the crista gali anchors the brain’s dura matter which by extension anchors the spinal cord

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11
Q

31 spinal segments consist of…

A
  1. dorsal root (horn)
  2. dorsal root ganglia
  3. ventral root (horn)
  4. spinal nerve
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12
Q

dorsal horn of grey matter

A

where all sensory information from the PNS enters the spinal cord

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13
Q

dorsal root ganglia

A

large bulbous part of the nerve that precedes the dorsal root and dorsal horn of the grey matter

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14
Q

differentiating the anterior spinal segment from the posterior

A
  1. dorsal horns (pointy)
  2. anterior median fissure
  3. posterior median sulcus
  4. dorsal root ganglia
  5. spinous process are posterior
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15
Q

spinal nerves (2x)

A
  1. sensory nerves (afferent)
  2. motor nerves (efferent)
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16
Q

spinal meninges

A

the spinal meninges is a membrane surrounding the spine that offers protection, stability and shock absorption

  1. pia
  2. arachnoid
  3. dura
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17
Q

denticulate ligaments

A

anchors the spinal cord from the sides

it anchors the pia to arachnoid and the dura

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18
Q

dura matter

A

tough fibrous material, outermost layer of the spinal meninges

provides crista gali and filum terminale anchoring of the spinal cord

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19
Q

arachnoid

A

middle layer, with spider like network

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20
Q

pia

A

delicate inner most layer of the spinal meninges

blood vessels are found in this layer

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21
Q

spinal cord blood supply

A

the sulci hides the blood vessels which are covered up by the pia matter

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22
Q

grey matter contents

A
  1. central canal
  2. cell bodies (somas)
  3. glial cells (neuroglia)
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23
Q

white matter contents

A
  1. axons
  2. organization into ascending and descending columns
24
Q

grey matter organization

A
  1. dorsal grey horns
  2. lateral grey horns
  3. ventral grey horns
  4. gray commissure
25
Q

dorsal grey horn

A

receives sensory input from the visceral organs and the muscles (somatic)

26
Q

lateral grey horn

A

sends motor commands to the visceral organs (visceral motor nuclei)

27
Q

ventral grey horn

A

sends motor commands to the muscles (somatic motor nuclei)

28
Q

grey commissure

A

contralateral crossover point of axons

29
Q

funiculi

A

columns of nerves

30
Q

white matter organization

A
  1. funiculi
  2. posterior white column
  3. anterior white column
  4. lateral white column
  5. descending and ascending tracts
31
Q

posterior white column sensations (4x)

A
  1. proprioception
  2. fine touch (meissners)
  3. pressure (pacinian)
  4. vibration (pacinian)
32
Q

spinothalamic sensations

A
  1. crude touch
  2. pain
  3. temp
33
Q

ascending tract (sensory)

A

spinothalamic tract

34
Q

descending tract (motor)

A

corticospinal tract

35
Q

peripheral nerve organization

A
  1. epineurium
  2. perineurium
  3. endoneurium

much like skeletal muscle, fascicles are bundles of axons

36
Q

epineurium

A

outermost layer of the peripheral nerve and is continuous with the dura matter

37
Q

perineurium

A

surrounds a fascicle

38
Q

endoneurium

A

surrounds a single axons

39
Q

spinal nerve merge

A

all 31 pairs of spinal nerves merge from the ventral and dorsal roots

40
Q

spinal nerve organization

A
  1. dorsal ramus
  2. ventral ramus
  3. white ramus
  4. grey ramus
41
Q

dorsal and ventral rami

A

the spinal nerves branch off into the dorsal and ventral rami

the dorsal ramus contains postganglionic fibers that innervate smooth muscle and glands

the dorsal ramus also contains fibers from the ventral horn that innervate the skeletal muscles of the neck and back

the ventral rami contains postganglionic fibers that innervate smooth muscle and glands

the ventral rami also contains fibers that from the ventral horn that innervate the skeletal muscles of the limbs

42
Q

rami communicantes

A

grey and white rami

spinal nerves coming from T1 to L2 have two additional branches on top of the dorsal and ventral rami

both branches converge onto the sympathetic ganglion before becoming the sympathetic nerve

grey = postganglionic
white = preganglionic

postganglionic innervates smooth muscle, glands and visceral organs of the thoracic cavity

preganglionic innervates abdominopelvic viscera

43
Q

dorsal and ventral rami
(sensory reception)

A

the dorsal and ventral rami can also receive sensory input from the somatic and visceral tissue, these lead back to the dorsal grey horn

dorsal ramus = interoceptors, exteroceptors, proprioceptors of the back

ventral ramus = exteroceptors, proprioceptors, interoceptors of the limbs

44
Q

dermatomes

A

sensory branches of the skin (spinal nerve) which are important for clinical uses

ex… if a patient has lost sensation in their calf, then it is likely a problem with S2 of the cutaneous branch of the spinal nerve

45
Q

four nerve plexuses

A
  1. cervical
  2. brachial
  3. lumbar
  4. sacral

there is no thoracic or coccygeal plexus

plexus = a bundle of branching nerves coming our of the spinal cord

46
Q

cervical plexus

A

ranges from C1-C5

nerves to note:
1. phrenic nerve = supplies the diaphragm and extends from the neck to the diaphragm (long)

the phrenic nerve is especially marked in neck surgeries to avoid loss of patient breathing if nicked

47
Q

brachial plexus

A

ranges from C5-T1

the brachial plexus overlaps with the cervical plexus

nerves to note:
1. medial
2. ulnar
3. radial

all three nerves supply the hand

48
Q

lumbar plexus

A

ranges from T12-L4

the lumbar plexus overlaps with the sacral plexus and can be called the lumbosacral plexus

major nerves:
1. obturator
2. femoral
3. lateral femoral cutaneous

49
Q

sacral plexus

A

ranges from L4-S4

major nerves:
1. sciatic nerve = largest nerve of the leg, it supplies the back of the thigh to the back of the lower leg

50
Q

reflex

A

definition: an immediate involuntary motor response

51
Q

reflex arc pathway

A
  1. sensory receptor stimulated
  2. sensory info related to the CNS
  3. CNS processes information
  4. CNS activates a motor neuron
  5. response on the effector
52
Q

reflex classification

A

reflexes are classified based on…

  1. development
  2. site where info is processed
  3. nature of the resulting motor response
  4. neural circuit complexity
53
Q

developmental reflexes

A
  1. innate
  2. acquired

ex… the babinski reflex is innate

54
Q

site where info is processed reflexes

A
  1. spinal
  2. cranial
55
Q

nature of the motor response reflex

A
  1. somatic
  2. visceral
  3. autonomic
56
Q

circuit complexity

A
  1. monosynaptic
  2. polysynaptic (interneurons)
57
Q

polysynaptic reflex example (landing on a nail)

A
58
Q

stretch reflex example (monosynaptic)

A

patellar ligament stretch example

  1. tap the patellar ligament
  2. muscle stretches
  3. intrafusal muscle spindle receptors fire
  4. sends to the CNS via the dorsal ramus
  5. no interneuron
  6. extrafusal muscle fibers fire
  7. quads contract