The Nervous System Flashcards
What are the 3 layers that encase peripheral from deep to superficial?
- Endoneurium
- Perineurium
- Epineurium
Describe the connection between the epineurium and the surrounding connective tissue
It is continuous, but the attachment is loose so that nerve trunks are mobile
Function of the spinal cord
- Participates in control of body movements
- Processing and transmission of sensory information from trunk/limbs
- Regulation of visceral functions
- Provides a conduit for two-way communication between brain and body
How long is the spinal cord typically?
42-45cm long
The spinal cord is continuous with the _____ superiorly and the _____ inferiorly
medulla
conus medullaris
At when spinal level does the spinal cord end?
L1 or L2
Posterior root of a spinal nerve contains _____ ganglion.
Anterior root of a spinal nerve contains _____ ganglion.
sensory
motor
Between what 2 meningeal layers does CSF flow?
Between the arachnoid and the pia mater
How do you test CN I?
Have your patient smell various odors with each nostril (vision occluded), such as coffee, lavender, vanilla
How do you test CN II?
Test your patient’s visual acuity via the Snellen eye chart 20’ away
How do you test CN III, IV, and VI?
Inspects the pupils for symmetry, their response to light, and their ability to track movement in the six fields of gaze (draw imaginary “H”)
How do you test CN V?
Have your patient clench their teeth, while you palpate the temporal and masseter muscles.
You can also perform the pinprick test of the three branches of sensory nerves
How do you test CN VII?
Inspect the patient’s face at rest, in conversation and in smiling
How do you test CN VIII?
Assess your patient’s vestibulospinal reflex by testing the ability of the eyes to follow a moving object
The cochlear component can be tested by rubbing the fingers equidistant from the patient’s ears and assessing the response
How do you test CN IX?
Test their gag reflex
How do you test CN X?
Take note of any any hoarseness and nasal tones in the patient’s voice. Also ask your patient to open their mouth and say “Aahhh” while you watch the movements of the soft palate and pharynx
How do you test CN XI?
Take note of any atrophy or asymmetry in the trapezius muscle.
Also, ask your patient to shrug shoulders
How do you test CN XII?
Inspect the tongue as it lies on the floor of the mouth, looking for fasciculation.
Ask your patient to stick out their tongue and move it from side to side, taking note of any asymmetry
There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves \_\_ cervical \_\_ thoracic \_\_ lumbar \_\_ sacral \_\_ coccygeal
8 12 5 5 1
What are the 4 branches of a spinal nerve?
- Primary dorsal
- Primary ventral
- Communicating ramus
- Meningeal or recurrent meningeal
The primary dorsal branch of a spinal nerve has a medial ____ branch and a lateral ____ branch
sensory
motor
What does the primary ventral branch off a spinal nerve form?
the cervical, brachial, and lumbosacral plexuses
The communicating rami connect what 2 structures?
spinal nerves and the sympathetic trunk
What do meningeal (recurrent meningeal) branches do?
Carry sensory and vasomotor innervation to the meninges