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29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Where does the spinal cord begin and end? |
Begin: foramen magnum End: L1 or L2 vertebra |
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What are the main functions of the spinal cord? |
a) Provides 2-way communication to and from brain b) Contains spinal reflex centers - allows for testing of nerve operation |
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Diagram of the spine |
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What is the Epidural space? |
Cushion of fat and network of veins in space between vertebrae and spinal dura mater |
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Where is the CSF located? |
subarachnoid space |
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How far do the meninges extend down the spine? |
The Dural and Arachnoid membranes extend to the sacrum, beyond the end of the cord at L1 or L2 |
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What is the Conus Medullaris? |
The tapering cone shaped structure where the spine terminates |
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What is the Filum terminale? |
- Fibrous extension of conus covered with pia mater - Anchors the spinal cord - extends to coccyx |
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What are the Denticulate ligaments? |
- Extensions of pia mater that secure spinal cord to dura mater |
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real picture of cervical spinal cord |
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real pic of Thoracic spinal cord |
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How many pairs of spinal nerves are there? Where do they exit? |
- 31 pairs with paired roots (dorsal and ventral rootlets) - each spinal nerve exits through the intervertebral foramen |
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What is the purpose of the cervical and lumbosacral enlargements? |
- nerves serving upper and lower limbs emerge here |
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What is the collection of nerve roots called at the inferior end of the vertebral canal? |
Cauda equina (look like the tail of a horse) |
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Inferior end of spinal cord (pic) |
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Cross section of spinal cord (diagram) |
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Meningeal coverings of spinal cord (diagram) |
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Information travel through the spinal nerves/ cord (diagram) |
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What is the White matter of the spinal cord? |
- Myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers that allow communication between parts of spinal cord, and also between the spinal cord and brain |
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What directions do the white matter fibers travel? |
1) Ascending - up to higher centers (SENSORY inputs) 2) Descending - from brain to lower cord levels (MOTOR outputs) 3) Transverse - from one side to the other (COMMISSURAL fibers) |
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How is white matter in the spinal cord divided? |
- divided into 3 white columns on each side a) Dorsal b) Lateral c) Ventral - each spinal tract is composed of axons with similar destinations and functions |
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Diagram of ascending and descending white matter fiber tracts |
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What does a First-order neuron do in an ascending pathway? |
a) Conducts impulses from cutaneous receptors and proprioceptors b) Branches diffusely as it enters spinal cord or medulla c) Synapses with 2nd-order neuron |
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What is a Second-order neuron and what does it do? |
a) Interneuron
b) Cell body in dorsal horn of spinal cord or medullary nuclei
c) Axons extend to thalamus or cerebellum |
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What is a 3rd-order neuron and what does it do? |
a) Interneuron b) Cell body in thalamus c) Axon extends to somatosensory cortex d) No third-order neurons in cerebellum |
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Picture of stuff |
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Picture of stuff |
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What are different types of Spinal cord disorders? |
1) Spinal cord trauma 2) Poliomyelitis (effects motor neurons, causing paralysis) 3) Amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS; genetic disorder, or environmental factors; find more...) 4) Developmental abnormalities of the nervous system a) Cerebral palsy b) Anencephaly c) Spina bifida ( more on these) |
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diagram of a lumbar tap |
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