The Spinal Cord

Question 1

What is the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 1

Nerve impulse propagation

Question 2

What anatomical structures does the spinal cord extend from and to?

Answer 2

Extends from medulla and foramen magnum to the conus medullaris L1-L2 intervertebral joint.

Question 3

What is the Cauda Equina?

Answer 3

Most inferior portion of spinal nerves. Includes L2-S5 nerve fibers and is part of the PNS.

Question 4

What are the layers of the spinal cord meninges?

Answer 4

1. Epidural space
2. Dura mater
3. Subdural space
4. Arachnoid mater
5. Subarachnoid space
6. Pia mater

Question 5

What is contained in the epidural space?

Answer 5

1. Fatty tissue
2. Lymphatics
3. Blood vessels
4. Nerve roots

Question 6

Describe the dura mater of the spinal cord.

Answer 6

A single layer of fibrous tissue that serves as an anchor for peripheral nerves to the spinal cord.

Extends to S2 vertebral level

Question 7

What is found within the subdural space?

Answer 7

Interstitial fluid

Question 8

Describe arachnoid mater in the spinal cord.

Answer 8

Essentially same as in cerebral hemispheres.

Protect spinal cord and aid in CSF circulation.

Question 9

What is found in the subarachnoid space?

Answer 9

Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 10

What is a big function of the pia mater in the spinal cord?

Answer 10

It anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx

Question 11

What is the Filum Terminale?

Answer 11

A fibrous extension of the pia mater at the end of the conus medullaris.

Question 12

What type of neurons does the dorsal horn carry?

Answer 12

Sensory neurons entering the spine from the periphery

Question 13

What is contained in the intermediate zone of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

Answer 13

Interneurons!

House autonomic functions

Question 14

What type of neuron does the ventral horn carry?

Answer 14

Motor neurons that are somatotopically organized.

Question 15

In the white matter of the spinal cord there are ascending and descending columns. What are those 3 columns called?

Answer 15

Dorsal column
Ventral column
Lateral column

Question 16

What type of fibers do the dorsal, ventral, and lateral columns carry?

Answer 16

Dorsal column = sensory fibers

Ventral column = motor fibers

Lateral column = mixed

*some are somatotopically organized

Question 17

In the white matter, what is the function of the dorsolateral sulcus?

Answer 17

The entrance for dorsal roots.

Question 18

In the white matter, what is the function of dorsal intermediate sulcus?

Answer 18

It splits dorsal columns into fasiculi cuneatus and gracilis.

Question 19

In the white matter, what is the function of the ventral lateral sulcus?

Answer 19

It is the exit for ventral roots

Question 20

In the white matter, what is the function of the dorsal medium septum?

Answer 20

A sheet of glial cells folded inwards.

Turns into dorsal medium sulcus in caudal spinal cord.

Question 21

In the white matter, what is the function of the ventral medium fissure?

Answer 21

It is a fold in pia mater. It contains the anterior spinal artery.

Question 22

What happens to white matter as you move from lumbosacral to cervical spine?

Answer 22

It increases!

Question 23

Where is the volume of gray matter highest in the spinal cord?

Answer 23

In the cervical and lumbar enlargements.