The Spinal Cord L2 Flashcards
What does each of a rats whiskers represent?
a barrel of nerve fibres
200microns across
very precise representation
What can decrease your chances of getting dementia?
knowing more languages
What areas of the brain are potentially effected in an aphasia?
Wernickes
Brocas
Arcuate Fasiculus
-as it is to do with a disorder of speech (associated with the brain)
Is the human brain symmetrical or asymmetrical?
symmetrical
What is the relationship between the two hemispheres?
Nearly but not entirely distinct
Closely related and Interact with one another
What is the difference in sizing on the Left and Right Hemispheres?
Areas larger (e.g. Wernicke's) on the Left side (when looking at skull imprint) Lateral fissure is larger on the left hemisphere and lateral fissure is more acute on the right hemisphere
Where does your spinal cord extend?
Right down the middle of your vertebral column
What 5 things is your spinal cord protected by?
- Vertebral column
- Meninges + CSF in subarachnoid space
- Cerebral Spinal Fluid
- Fat
- Connective Tissue
What is the protective function of the Vertebral column for the spinal cord?
Spine is made out of stacks of vertebrae (Bone and Little Cartilage)
Separated by the intervertebral discs
Intervertebral discs act as a Shock Absorber
What is the protective function of the Meninges for the spinal cord and brain?
Both spinal cord and brain
Spinal Cord (Spinal Meninges)
Brain (Cranial Meninges
Three Connective Tissue (CT) coverings the ENCIRCLE the spinal cord and brain
Pia Mater (inner layer) + Arachnoid Mater (middle layer) + Dura Mater (outer layer)
Subarachnoid space between the Meningeal membranes (Arachnoid and Pia Mater) contains CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF), which SUSPENDS the central nervous Tissue. Provides a Shock absorbing and Hydraulic cushion in a Weightless environment
What is the protective function of CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF) in the spinal cord?
Central Canal is filled with CSF
CSF is produced by the Choroid Plexus
Provides cushioning : Hydraulic cushioning role and Shock absorber to protect the spine
Also located in the subarachnoid space between the Meningeal membranes (Arachnoid and Pia Mater). Here it SUSPENDS the central nervous Tissue. Provides a Shock absorbing and Hydraulic cushion in a Weightless environment
What is the protective function of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) in the brain?
Filled between the Meningeal membranes (Arachnoid and Pia Mater) is CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF), which SUSPENDS the central nervous Tissue. Provides a Shock absorbing and Hydraulic cushion in a Weightless environment
Also located in ventricles and cerebro aqueduct
What are the 3 protective structures of the brain?
- Skull
- Meninges
- CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
How many spinal nerve pairs are there?
31
What are the Upper 8 spinal nerves caller?
Cervical spinal nerves
neck
What are the next 12 spinal nerves?
Thoracic spinal nerves
lungs
What are the first group of 5 spinal nerves?
Lumbar spinal nerves
What are the second group of 5 spinal nerves?
Sacral spinal nerves
What is the last pair of spinal nerves?
Coccygeal
What is the order of the 21 pairs of spinal nerves?
Cervical = 8x pairs Thoracic = 12x pairs Lumbar = 5x pairs Sacral = 5x pairs Coccygeal = 1x pair
What are spinal nerves?
The paths of communication between the spinal cord and a specific region of the body
Each pair of spinal nerves is said to arise from a spinal segment and is named according to the segment they’re located in
What is the shape of the spinal cord?
roughly oval
Flattened anteriorly and posteriorly slightly
What are the roots below the spinal cord collectively named?
Horse’s tail
Cauda equina
Where does the spinal cord terminate?
A conical structure called the Concus Medullaris (‘cone’) between first and second Lumbar bertebrae
What happens to the nerves below the Concus Medullaris?
Lumbar, Sacral and Coccygeal do not leave the vertebral column at the same level they exit
Where does the spinal cord extend?
Spinal cord extends From the Medulla Oblongata
To the Superior part of the 2nd Lumbar vertebrae
What is a dermatome?
Band or region of the body (innervated by one spinal nerve) one spinal nerve is related to
Nerve innervates skin at the level of the dermatome
Dermatome provides sensory input into the CNS via the Posterior Dorsal Roots of a pair of spinal nerves,
Dermatomes also provide sensory input into the CNS via the Trigeminal Nerve (V) (fifth cranial nerve)
How many dermatomes are there?
30
What is special about the first spinal nerve?
C1
Doesn’t arise from/go to a dermatome/skin
Only carries Motor fibres (ventral root only)