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Neuro Physiology > The Spinal Cord and the Periphery > Flashcards

The Spinal Cord and the Periphery Flashcards

1
Q

Grey and white matter of the spinal cord

A

White outside

Grey inside

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2
Q

How do axons of sensory fibres enter though into the spinal cord?

A

Through the dorsal route into the dorsal horn of grey matter

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3
Q

Where do motor neurones have their cell bodies in the spinal cord?

A

In the ventral horn

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4
Q

What is white matter made up from?

A

Tracts

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5
Q

What are tracts?

A

Axons transmitting information between higher centres in the brain and peripheral nerves = pathways

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6
Q

What type of information do ascending tracts take?

A

Sensory

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7
Q

What type of information do descending tract take?

A

Motor

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8
Q

What columns does white matter have?

A

Posterior
Lateral
Anterior

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9
Q

Function of ascending spinal tracts

A

Carries sensory information to the brain (cerebral cortex and cerebellum)

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10
Q

Features of ascending spinal tracts

A

3 neurones between the peripheral receptor and the cortex

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11
Q

Order of features in ascending spinal tracts

A
  1. receptor - first order neurone (dorsal root present off this)
  2. Reaches grey matter of spinal cord or nucleus in medulla
  3. 2nd order neurone - crosses over to contralateral side in spinal cord or medulla
  4. Reaches Nucleus in contralateral thalamus
  5. 3rd order neurone - to contralateral parietal cortex
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12
Q

What does the posterior/dorsal column of ascending tracts carry?

A

Fine touch
Tactile localisation
Vibration sense
Proprioception

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13
Q

Journey of posterior/dorsal column of ascending tracts

A
  1. Gracile and cuneate nuclei in medulla -> 1st order neurone to
  2. 2nd order neurone -> Crosses over to medial lemniscus in pons to the
  3. VPL nucleus in thalamus
  4. 3rd order neurone -> post central gyrus in parietal lobe
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14
Q

What does the lateral spinothalamic tract carry on the right side?

A

Pain and temp from left side of body

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15
Q

What does the lateral ascending tracts carry?

A

Pain

Temperature

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16
Q

Journey of Lateral spinothalamic tract

A

2nd order neurone crosses over at the level of entry to reach lateral column in the spinal cord
VPL nucleus of thalamus
Post central gyrus of parietal lobe

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17
Q

Where do motor/descending tracts of the spinal cord originate?

A

Within the cerebral cortex and brainstem

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18
Q

Function of descending tracts

A

Control of movement
Muscle tone
Spinal autonomic fibres

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19
Q

How many neurones do descending tracts have?

20
Q

Features of descending tracts

A

Motor
2 Neurones in the pathway
They decussate to the opposite side of the brainstem

21
Q

Function of the corticospinal/pyramidal tract

A

Control of voluntary skilled movements

22
Q

What kind of pathway is the corticospinal/pyramidal tract?

A

Descending

23
Q

What is the blood supply to the corticospinal/pyramidal tract?

24
Q

Where do corticobulbar fibres go?

A

Go to contralateral cranial nerve nuclei

25
Q

Where do corticospinal fibres go?

A

Mostly cross in decussation of pyramids (lateral corticospinal tract)

26
Q

How much of the fibres does the anterior corticospinal tract have?

27
Q

What is the lower motor neurone responsible for?

A

Muscle tone and reflexes

28
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system?

A

Nerve cells within both CNS and PNS concerned with innervation and control of visceral organs, smooth muscle and secretory glands

29
Q

How many neurones does the basic autonomic efferent pathway have?

30
Q

What nerves does the sympathetic ANS have an effect on?

A

T1-12

L1 + 2

31
Q

What nerves does the parasympathetic ANS have an effect on?

A

III, VII, IX, X

S2-4

32
Q

What is the outflow of sympathetic fibres taken by?

A

Thoracolumbar

33
Q

What is the outflow of parasympathetic fibres taken by?

A

Craniosacral

34
Q

What is motor neurone disease?

A

A group of diseases affecting the motor neurone in the ventral horn of the spinal cord (LMN). The neurone dies and as a result the muscle supplied by it atrophies

35
Q

Presentation of an UMN lesion

A

Exaggerated reflexes - hyperflexia

Exaggerated tone - spasticity (spastic paralysis)

36
Q

Presentation of a herniated disc on the left side of C3 (e.g. brown sequard syndrome)

A

Left sided paralysis
Left sides loss of touch, vibration and sense
Right sided loss of temp and pain
Reflexes on left side exagerated

37
Q

What is a reflex?

A

An involuntary stereotyped pattern of response brought about by a sensory stimulus

38
Q

Where are many reflexes mediated?

A

At the level of the spinal cord (spinal reflexes)

39
Q

Types of reflexes anatomically

A

Monosynaptic

Polysynaptic

40
Q

Example of a monosynaptic reflex

A

Stretch reflexes

41
Q

Example of a polysynaptic reflex

A

Flexor reflex

42
Q

How does a stretch reflex work?

A
  1. Tendon stretched
  2. Intrafusal muscle fibres stimulated
  3. Sensory neurone activated
  4. Monosynaptic reflex arc
    4b. Polysynaptic reflex arc to inhibitory interneurone
  5. Muscle contraction
    5b. Reciprocal innervation
43
Q

What is the stretch reflex important in?

A

Control of muscle tone and posture

44
Q

What is the function of the flexor reflex?

A

Helps to protect the body from painful stimuli

45
Q

How does the flexor reflex work?

A
  1. pain stimulus
  2. Sensory neurone activated
  3. Polysynpatic reflex arc
  4. Flexion and withdrawal from noxious stimulus
    4b. Crossed extensor response to contralateral limb (only in weight bearing limbs)

Neuro Physiology (15 decks)

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