The Spinal Cord

Question 1

Enclosed in the vertebral column, extends from the foramen magnum of the skull to the first or second lumbar vertebra. Provides a two-way conduction pathway to and from the brain. Also a major reflex center.

Answer 1

Spinal Cord

Question 2

A single layer that covers the spinal cord. Not attached to the bony walls of the vertebral column.

Answer 2

Spinal Dura Mater

Question 3

Located between the vertebrae and the spinal dura mater. Filled with a soft padding of fat and a network of veins.

Answer 3

Epidural Space

Question 4

Procedure that involves removing CSF for testing. The dural and arachnoid membranes extend beyond the end of the spinal cord, creating a sac filled with CSF.

Answer 4

Lumbar Puncture

Question 5

A tapering cone-shaped structure where the spinal cord terminates.

Answer 5

Conus Medullaris

Question 6

A fibrous extension of the conus medullaris that is covered by pia mater. Extends inferiorly from the conus medullaris to the coccyx, where it anchors the spinal cord.

Answer 6

Filum Terminale

Question 7

Saw-toothed shelves of pia mater that secure the spinal cord to the dura mater meninx throughout its length.

Answer 7

Denticulate Ligaments

Question 8

An area of obvious enlargement where the nerves serving the upper limbs arise.

Answer 8

Cervical Enlargements

Question 9

An area of obvious enlargement where the nerves serving the lower limbs arise.

Answer 9

Lumbar Enlargements

Question 10

Paired location where the spinal nerves attach to the spinal cord.

Answer 10

Roots

Question 11

Collection of lumbar and sacral nerve roots that angle sharply downward and travel inferiorly through the vertebral canal before reaching their intervertebral foramina.

Answer 11

Cauda Equina

Question 12

Groove that runs the length of the spinal cord along the ventral surface.

Answer 12

Anterior Median Fissure

Question 13

Groove that runs the length of the spinal cord along the dorsal surface.

Answer 13

Posterior Median Sulcus

Question 14

Tunnel in the middle of the spinal cord that runs its length. Filled with CSF.

Answer 14

Central Canal

Question 15

Crossbar of gray matter that connects lateral gray masses and encloses the central canal.

Answer 15

Gray Commissures

Question 16

The two dorsal projections of gray matter in a cross section of the spinal cord. Form columns of gray matter that run the length of the spinal cord.

Answer 16

Dorsal Horns

Question 17

The two ventral projections of gray matter in a cross section of the spinal cord. Form columns of gray matter that run the length of the spinal cord.

Answer 17

Ventral Horns

Question 18

Additional pair of gray matter projections in the thoracic and superior lumbar segments of the spinal cord.

Answer 18

Lateral Horns

Question 19

Formed by axons of motor neurons that project from the ventral horns of the spinal cord.

Answer 19

Ventral Roots

Question 20

Formed by afferent fibers carrying impulses from peripheral sensory receptors.

Answer 20

Dorsal Roots

Question 21

Formed by cell bodies of sensory neurons found in an enlarged region of the dorsal root.

Answer 21

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Question 22

Formed by fusion of dorsal and ventral roots.

Answer 22

Spinal Nerves

Question 23

Spinal gray matter composed of interneurons receiving input from somatic sensory neurons. Located on the posterior region of the dorsal root.

Answer 23

Somatic Sensory Zone

Question 24

Spinal gray matter composed of interneurons receiving input from visceral sensory neurons. Located on the anterior region of the dorsal root.

Answer 24

Visceral Sensory Zone

Question 25

Spinal gray matter composed of visceral motor neurons. Located on the posterior region of the ventral root.

Answer 25

Visceral Motor Zone

Question 26

Spinal gray matter composed of somatic motor neurons. Located on the anterior region of the ventral root.

Answer 26

Somatic Motor Zone

Question 27

The white matter on each side of the spinal cord. Divided into three regions.

Answer 27

White Columns

Question 28

White column located on the dorsal region of the spinal cord.

Answer 28

Dorsal Column

Question 29

White column located on the lateral region of the spinal cord.

Answer 29

Lateral Column

Question 30

White column located on the ventral region of the spinal cord.

Answer 30

Ventral Column

Question 31

Areas on the skin supplied by sensory fibers of the spinal nerves.

Answer 31

Dermatomes