Vertebral Column Flashcards
1
Q
What is within the vertebral canal?
A
- Spinal Cord
-
Epidural Space (real space):
- Contains fat, blood vessels, veins and arteries
-
Meninges (CNS covering)
- Protect and anchor spinal cord
2
Q
Differentiate the meningeal layers.
A
-
Dura Mater “Tough Mother”
- Outermost layer of dense CT
- Extends to S2 Vertebra (Dural Sac)
-
Arachnoid Mater
- “Spider-web material”
-
Pia Mater
- Innermost layer
- Adheres directly to spinal cord
- Specializations:
- Denticulate Ligaments (stabilize spinal cord laterally)
- Filum Terminale (stabilize spinal cord inferiorly)
3
Q
Describe the spaces between meninges.
A
-
Subdural Space:
- Potential Space
- Space between dura and arachnoid
-
Subarachnoid Space:
- Real Space__
- Space between arachnoid and pia
- Filled with CSF
- Arteries and veins
4
Q
What does the central nervous system consist of?
A
- Brain
- Spinal Cord
5
Q
What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?
A
- Cranial and spinal nerves
6
Q
Describe the composition of the spinal cord. What differentiates the components?
A
Gray Matter (inner)
- Neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated nerve cell processes
White Matter (outer)
- Myelinated axons (processes)
7
Q
What is the conus medullaris? Differentiate differences in cord length based upon age.
A
- End of the spinal cord
-
In embryo: spinal cord extends entire length of vertebral canal (vertebral column grows faster than the cord):
- In infants: spinal cord typically ends at levels of L3 vertebra
- In adults: spinal cord typically ends at inferior border of L1 vertebra
-
In embryo: spinal cord extends entire length of vertebral canal (vertebral column grows faster than the cord):
8
Q
What is the cauda equina?
A
- Inferior to the conus medullaris
- Nerve roots coming off of cord
- “Horse’s Tail”
9
Q
What is a lumbar puncture? Describe the location of a lumbar puncture and why this is important.
A
- Extract CSF for medical inspection
- Needle must be inserted below L1 (end of spinal cord in adults)
- Usually between processes of L3 and L4 or L4 and L5
- Utilize iliac crests (level of L4 spinous process)
- In infants the cord ends at L3 (must perform below L4)
- Usually between processes of L3 and L4 or L4 and L5
10
Q
Describe spinal nerves. How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
A
- Nerves that come off the spinal cord
-
31 Pairs:
- 8 Cervical (C1-C8)
- C1-C7 exit superior to the body of respective vertebrae
- C8 exits between C7 and T1
- 12 Thoracic (T1-T12)
- 5 Lumbar (L1-L5)
- 5 Sacral (S1-S5)
- 1 Coccygeal (COC1)
- 8 Cervical (C1-C8)
- Enter/Exit vertebral canal through intervertebral foramina
- Nerves exit inferior to the bodies of respective vertebrae
11
Q
Anterior (Ventral) Root
A
- Contains axons of motor neurons
- Cell bodies of motor neurons are in anterior/ventral horn of spinal cord
12
Q
Posterior (Dorsal) Root
A
- Contains axons of sensory neurons
- Cell bodies of sensory neurons are within the posterior/dorsal root ganglion (within intervertebral foramen)
13
Q
Spinal Nerve
A
- Formed when anterior and posterior roots unite
- Contains motor and sensory axons
- Exits via intervertebral foramen
- Splits into posterior and anterior rami
14
Q
Posterior Ramus
A
- Innervates skin of back and deep back muscles
- C1 Posterior Ramus: Suboccipital n. (motor only; mm. of suboccipital triangle)
- C2 Posterior Ramus: Greater Occipital n. (sensory only; sensation from scalp)
- Motor and Sensory
15
Q
Anteior Ramus
A
- Innervates everything other than skin of back/deep back muscles
- Motor and sensory
17
Q
Dermatomes
A
- Segments of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve
- Dermatomal Maps: show general patterns of dermatomes
- Beneficial for:
- Pinpointing Specific Damage
- Referred Pain
