The Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

Where do the C1 and C2 nerve roots exit the vertebral column?

A
  • C1 exits above the atlas

- C2 exits below the atlas

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2
Q

Where do the spinal nerves below C2 exit the vertebral column?

A

Below the named vertebra

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3
Q

Why is the spinal cord enlarged at the level of the plexuses?

A

There are more neuron bodies.

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4
Q

Which plexus causes the greatest enlargement in the spinal cord?

A
  • The cervical plexus
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5
Q

At what levels does the thoracolumbar enlargment occur?

A

From T11 until its greatest circumference at L1.

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6
Q

What is the termination of the spinal cord named?

A

Conus medularis.

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7
Q

What is the continuation of axons pass the conus medaliaris termed?

A

The cauda equina.

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8
Q

What are the 3 protective layers about the spinal cord from outer to inner?

A
  • Dura mater
  • Arachnoid mater
  • Pia mater
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9
Q

Where is the subdural space found?

A

Between the dura and arachnoid mater. (This is a potential space that can fill with fluid)

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10
Q

Where is the subarachnoid space found?

A
  • Between the arachnoid mater and pia mater.
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11
Q

What is found with in the aubarachnoid space?

A

CSF.

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12
Q

What are the 2 mechanical stabilizations of the spinal cord?

A
  • Filum Terminal/ Terminal Ligament

- Denticulate Ligaments

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13
Q

What is the filum terminal?

A
  • An extension of pia mater that attaches from the caudal portion of the spinal cord to the sacrum, anchoring the cord.
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14
Q

What are the denticulate ligaments?

A
  • An extension of the pia mater that extends laterally from the spinal cord and attaches to the arachnoid, and dura matter, which is attached to bone.
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15
Q

What is the major non-mechanical stabilizer of the spinal cord?

A
  • Cerebrospinal fluid within the subarachnoid that cannot be compressed
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16
Q

What protective coverings of the spinal cord extend with the cauda equina from L1 to the coccyx?

A
  • The arachnoid and dura mater
17
Q

How is the ventral horn organized in terms of distal/ proximal innervations?

A
  • Lateral portions innervate more distal body parts

- Medial portions innervate more proximal muscles

18
Q

How is the ventral horn organized in terms of flexors/ extensors?

A
  • Dorsal portion innervates flexors

- Ventral portion innervates extensors

19
Q

What is the organizing of neurons in the ventral horn according to function called?

A
  • Somatotopic arrangement
20
Q

What are 2 methods of organization of the neurons within the gray matter of the spinal cord?

A
  • Nuclei arrangements

- Rex laminae arrangements

21
Q

Which horn works well with a nuclei arrangement? Which horn works well with Rex laminae arrangments?

A

Ventral: Nuclei
Dorsal: Rex laminae

22
Q

Which rex lamina make up the dorsal horn?

A

1 - 6

23
Q

Which rex lamina make up the venral horn?

A

7 - 12

24
Q

Which rex lamina are the cell pools of the ventral horn?

A

IX

25
Q

Which rex lamina is intermediate gray?

A

VII

26
Q

Which rex lamina is interneurons of the ventral horns?

A

VIII

27
Q

Which rex lamina is the commisure of the spinal cord gray matter?

A

X

28
Q

Which rex lamina is the substantia gelatinosa?

A

Lamina II

29
Q

Which rex lamina is the marginal zone?

A

Lamina I

30
Q

Which rex lamina is the nucleus proprius?

A

Laminae III and IV

31
Q

What is another name for the marginal zone/ lamina I?

A
  • Posteromarginal nucleus
32
Q

What are the 2 functions of the 1st rex lamina?

A
  • Sensory relay for: Pain and Temperature

- Contributes some fibers to LSTT (??? what is this ???)

33
Q

What are the 3 functions of the 2nd rex lamina?

A
  • Receives afferent information from unmyelinated & thinly myelinated fibers
  • Receives information from higher centers (brain stem)
  • Modulation of function (especially pain)
34
Q

What are the 3 functions of the 3rd and 4th rex laminae?

A
  • Sensory processing
  • Penetrated by dendrites of large neurons in lamina V
  • The same functions as lamina II, but also receives information from touch afferents
35
Q

What are the 2 functions of 5th rex lamina?

A
  • Receives afferent fibers and interneurons from II, III & IV
  • Receives fibers from corticospinal & rubrospinal tracts
36
Q

What is the function of the 6th rex lamina?

A
  • Receives 1st degree proprioceptive input from muscles and tendons
37
Q

What is the function of the 9th rex lamina?

A
  • The motor nuclei that innervate skeletal muscles
38
Q

What type of neurons are found in the 9th rex lamina?

A
  • Alpha and gamma motorneurons