Structure and function of the spinal cord Flashcards
The spinal cord is continuous with which structure in the brain?
Medulla Oblongata.
The base of the brain is also known at the what?
Atlas.
At the level of L1, the spinal cord narrows to form which structure?
The conus medullaris.
The conus medullaris is formed at which vertebral level?
L1.
Spinal nerves extend past L1 and form a bundle of nerves. What is this bundle called?
Cauda equina.
What structure protects the spinal cord?
The vertebral canal within the vertebral column and the meninges.
How many meninges are protecting the spinal cord?
3.
Which meninge layer directly lines the spinal cord and is highly vascular?
Pia mater
The Pia mater thickens to form what ligament?
The denticulate ligament.
What is the role of the denticulate ligament?
Anchors the spinal cord to the middle of the central canal.
Which CSF filled space sits between the Pia mater and the Arachnoid mater?
Subarachnoid space.
What separates the vertebral column from the Dura mater?
Epidural space.
Which meninge layer is the outermost from the spinal cord?
Dura mater.
At the conus medullaris, a fibrous extension of the Pia mater forms. What is this called?
Filum terminale.
What is the role of the Filum Terminale?
Anchors and stabilises the distal spinal cord.
At what vertebral level is a lumbar puncture usually done for an adult and why?
Below L3 - To avoid the L1/L2 conus medullaris as anything above would likely hit the spinal cord.
At which vertebral level is a lumbar puncture usually done on a child?
Below L4.
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31.
What the regions of the spinal cord?
Cervical nerves 1-8
Thoracic nerves 1-12
Lumbar nerves 1-5
Sacral nerves 1-5
Coccygeal 1
Spinal nerves usually exit the vertebral column below their corresponding vertebral level. How is this different in the cervical region?
There are 8 cervical nerves but 7 cervical vertebra.
C1 nerve exits above C1 vertebra, C2 exits before C1 vertebra.
C8 exits below C7 vertebra.
What are each of the spinal nerve pairs formed from?
Dorsal and ventral root
Which nerve root brings sensory information into the spinal cord?
Dorsal root.
Which nerve root takes information out of the spinal cord, into the muscles?
Ventral root.