Spinal Nerves

Question 1

Spinal nerves

Answer 1

communication with the CNS by way of the spinal cord

Question 2

how many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 2

31

Question 3

Breakdown of the pairs of spinal nerves

Answer 3

8 pair CERVICAL NERVES - C1-C8

12 pair THORACIC NERVES T1-T12

5 pair LUMBAR NERVES - L`-L5

5 pair SACRAL NERVES - S1-S5

1 pair COCCYGEAL NERVES - Co1

Question 4

CAUDA EQUINA

Answer 4

Nerves in the lumbar, sacral and coccygeal region travel through the vertebral canal below the end of the spinal cord as the CAUDA EQUINA before emerging out of the vertebral column.

Question 5

Three protective coverings of connective tissue surrounding spinal nerves

Answer 5

epineurium

perineurium

endoneurium

Question 6

epineurium

Answer 6

fuses with the dura of the spinal cord as it passes through the intervertebral foramina and surrounds the entire nerve.

Question 7

perineurium

Answer 7

surrounds groups of axons known as fascicles.

Question 8

endoneurium

Answer 8

surrounds individual axons that make up the spinal nerve.

Question 9

Shortly after exiting the intervertebral foramen, spinal nerves divide into small branches called

Answer 9

Rami

The posterior (dorsal) ramus supplies the skin and deep muscles of the posterior trunk.

Question 10

Axons from anterior rami of all spinal nerves except T2-T12 form inter-branching networks known as

Answer 10

plexuses (plexi).

Individual nerves then emerge from each plexus.

Be able to ID various plexi from a picture or model*

p 86 coloring book

Question 11

Cervical Plexus

Answer 11

is responsible for many nerves of the head, neck and part of the shoulders.

Question 12

Brachial plexus

Answer 12

responsible for nerves of the shoulder and upper limb.

Question 13

Thoracic nerves

Answer 13

do not form plexi but serve most of the muscles and skin of the torso. Branches of these nerves become intercostal nerves.

Question 14

Lumbar plexus

Answer 14

takes care of nerves of the anterior thigh, some abdominal wall and the external genitals.

Question 15

sacral plexus

Answer 15

is responsible for the gluteal region, the perineum and most of the lower limb.

Question 16

The cervical plexus supplies the skin and muscles of the….
A notable nerve emerging from this plexus is the _____ _____, which supplies motor impulses to the diaphragm.

Answer 16

head, neck, upper shoulders and chest

phrenic nerve

Question 17

All spinal nerves are

Answer 17

mixed nerves - both sensory and motor

Question 18

The brachial plexus is responsible for supplying…

Key nerves emerging from the brachial plexus include the

Answer 18

the upper limb and shoulder.

axillary nerve
musculocutaneous nerve
radial nerve
median nerve
ulnar nerve.

Question 19

The lumbar plexus is responsible for the

Answer 19

anterolateral abdominal wall, external genitals and much of the anterior and medial thigh.

Question 20

nerves emerging from the lumbar plexus include

Answer 20

the femoral nerve and the obturator nerve.

Question 21

the sacral plexus supplies

Answer 21

the buttocks, perineum, the posterior thigh and most of the leg

Question 22

The sciatic nerve emerges out of the _____ ____, and then divides into…

Answer 22

sacral plexus

the tibial nerve and common fibular (common peroneal) nerve.

Question 23

The common fibular nerve divides into

Answer 23

a superficial and deep fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Question 24

Dermatomes

Answer 24

regions of skin innervated by the sensory portion of a nerve.

Most dermatomes are related to spinal nerves, though the regions of the face supplied by the sensory portion of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) may be included as is done on this view.

Question 25

Things to focus on in the handout:

Answer 25

-focus on motor info - the muscles or groups of muscles that they lead to

• don’t need to know specific dermatomes for this class but could be very helpful in our career