Spinal Nerves Part 2 Flashcards
Where are sympathetic chain communications located?
either at or just medial to the bifurcation of the mixed spinal nerve
T/F: axons carried in the white ramus communicans are unmyelinated.
False; these are myelinated
Where are the cell bodies of axons carried by white ramus communicans?
cell bodies of these axons can be found in the lateral horn cells at cord levels T1-L2
T/F: Preganglionic splanchnic sympathetic fibers enter the sympathetic chain and go through the trunk.
True
T/F: some preganglionic sympathetic fibers enter the sympathetic chain and ascend/descend after synapsing.
False; these can ascend/descend BEFORE synapsing
What spinal nerves are white rami communicans associated with?
T1-L2 only
What kind of fibers are associated with white rami communicans?
preganglionic sympathetics
What kind of fibers are associated with gray ramus communicans?
postganglionic sympathetics
T/F: the gray rami communicans carry unmyelinated postganglionic sympathetic axons from cell bodies to the spinal nerve.
True
Where are the cell bodies of the axons carried by the gray ramus communicans?
sympathetic chain
T/F: Gray rami communicans are associated with T1-L2 only.
False; gray rami communicans are associated with each spinal nerve
T/F: the suboccipital nerve (C1) does not split.
True
What is supplied by the posterior rami of C1?
motor supply to suboccipital muscles
What are the suboccipital muscles? (5)
rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior, and semispinalis capitis
What is the name of the medial branch of C2 posterior rami?
greater occipital nerve
What does the medial branch of C2 supply?
sensory to the posterior neck and scalp
What is the motor supply to semispinalis capitis, longissimus capitis, and splenius capitis?
C2 lateral branch (C1 also supplies motor to semispinalis capitis)
What is the name for C3 medial branch?
third (least) occipital nerve
What does C3 supply sensory info to?
skin of posterior neck
What does the lateral branch of C3 supply motor info to?
same muscles as C2 (semi cap, long cap, and splenius cap)
What do the medial branches of C4-C8 carry sensory info from?
skin of posterior neck
What do the lateral branches of C4-C8 supply motor info to?
iliocostalis cervicis, longissimus cervicis, and capitis (I Love Lucy)
What anterior (primary) rami form the cervical plexus?
anterior rami of C1-C4 spinal nerves
Fibers from what ganglion communicate with the loop formed by C1 and C2?
inferior vagal ganglion
T/F: Fibers from the spinal accessory nerve carry proprioceptive info and communicate with the loop formed by C2 and C3 and with C3 and C4.
True
The hypoglossal nerve communciated with C1 fibers that will later separate to become what structure?
the superior root of ansa cervicalis
C1 fibers that remain with the hypoglossal nerve supply what 2 muscles?
thyrohyoid and geniohyoid
What kind of postganglionic sympathetic fibers are carried by the gray rami communicans associated with communications with the superior cervical ganglion?
vasomotor, sudomotor, and pilomotor
How many gray rami communicans are associated with the communications with superior cervical ganglion and the loop between C1 and C2 and the roots of C3 and C4?
usually 3
Where does the lesser occipital nerve carry fibers from?
C2 and occasionally C3
What supplies the skin of the superior 1/3 of the auricle and the skin behind thee ear?
lesser occipital nerve
What are the 7 superificial branches of the cervical plexus?
lesser occipital nerve, great auricular nerve, transverse cutaneous nerve, trunks of C3/C4, medial supraclavicular nerve, intermediate supraclavicular nerve, and Lateral supraclavicular nerve (LOG AT CT MIL)
What nerves does the lesser occipital nerve communicate with?
the greater occipital nerve and the great auricular nerve
What nerve may be implicated in cerivocgenic headaches?
lesser occipital nerve
