The Spinal Cord Flashcards
How does the spinal cord communicate with the brain
Atonal tracts
Where does the spine leave the skull
From foremen magnum
Why is the spinal cord divided into segments
Attachment of dorsal and ventral roots (each made of thousands of axons)
What are ganglion
Cell bodies found outside the brain and spinal cord
Describe the roots of each spinal segment
Have 4 roots - an anterior + ventral root on both left and right side.
Each root is made of 8 Rootlets
What is the accessory nerve
Rootlets of 1st 7 spinal segments converging
How are paired spinal nerves formed
Roots of spinal cord emerging from between vertebrae
Where does the diameter of the spinal cord increase
At locations where limbs arise
What is expaxial tissue
Dorsal muscle attached to vertebrae
What is hypaxial tissue
Tissue on the ventral side of the vertebrae (includes limbs)
What region of the spine innervates the epaxial tissue
Dorsal branch
what region of the spine innervated hypaxial tissue
Ventral branches
How are spinal nerves named
Corresponding to the vertebrae
However the vertebrae grew more than the spinal cord, not consistent when it reaches thoracic vertebrae
When does the functional spinal cord terminate
L6-L7
What is a the conus medullaris
Terminal end of the spinal cord
What is the cauda equine
Bundle of elongated nerves within the lower vertebral canal
What is the pia matter made of
Elastic and collagen fibres
What are meninges
Layers that protect the spine
Dura Mater (outer)
Arachnoid Membrane
Pia Mater (inner)
What is the arachnoid trabecula
Where spinal arteries are suspended and connected to the pia matter
How is white matter oraganised in the spinal cord
Into tracts (Collins that extended the length of the cord)
Surrounds the grey matter
How is grey matter divided in the spinal cord
Into dorsal, ventral, lateral horns
Where are the sacral segments of the spine found
Next to the 1st Lumbar Vertebrae
