The Spinal Cord Flashcards
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.
Spinal Cord
A single layer that covers the spinal cord. Not attached to the bony walls of the vertebral column.
Spinal Dura Mater
Located between the vertebrae and the spinal dura mater. Filled with a soft padding of fat and a network of veins.
Epidural Space
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.
Lumbar Puncture
A tapering cone-shaped structure where the spinal cord terminates.
Conus Medullaris
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.
Filum Terminale
Saw-toothed shelves of pia mater that secure the spinal cord to the dura mater meninx throughout its length.
Denticulate Ligaments
An area of obvious enlargement where the nerves serving the upper limbs arise.
Cervical Enlargements
An area of obvious enlargement where the nerves serving the lower limbs arise.
Lumbar Enlargements
Paired location where the spinal nerves attach to the spinal cord.
Roots
Collection of lumbar and sacral nerve roots that angle sharply downward and travel inferiorly through the vertebral canal before reaching their intervertebral foramina.
Cauda Equina
Groove that runs the length of the spinal cord along the ventral surface.
Anterior Median Fissure
Groove that runs the length of the spinal cord along the dorsal surface.
Posterior Median Sulcus
Tunnel in the middle of the spinal cord that runs its length. Filled with CSF.
Central Canal
Crossbar of gray matter that connects lateral gray masses and encloses the central canal.
Gray Commissures
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.
Dorsal Horns
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.
Ventral Horns
Additional pair of gray matter projections in the thoracic and superior lumbar segments of the spinal cord.
Lateral Horns
Formed by axons of motor neurons that project from the ventral horns of the spinal cord.
Ventral Roots
Formed by afferent fibers carrying impulses from peripheral sensory receptors.
Dorsal Roots
Formed by cell bodies of sensory neurons found in an enlarged region of the dorsal root.
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Formed by fusion of dorsal and ventral roots.
Spinal Nerves
Spinal gray matter composed of interneurons receiving input from somatic sensory neurons. Located on the posterior region of the dorsal root.
Somatic Sensory Zone
Spinal gray matter composed of interneurons receiving input from visceral sensory neurons. Located on the anterior region of the dorsal root.
Visceral Sensory Zone
