Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
Conducts impulses from brain, and integrates reflexes
What are the meninges?
What are the meninges?
Cover and protect CNS. Spinal and cranial.
What are the meningeal layers from superficial to deep?
What are the meningeal layers from superficial to deep?
Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Pia Mater
What are the spaces between the meningeal layers from superficial to deep?
What are the spaces between the meningeal layers from superficial to deep?
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What is the epidural space?
What is the epidural space?
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What is the subdural space?
What is the subdural space?
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What is the subarachnoid space?
What is the subarachnoid space?
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What is the denticulate ligament?
What is the denticulate ligament?
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What is the conus medullaris?
What is the conus medullaris?
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What is the filum terminate?
What is the filum terminate?
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What is gray matter?
What is gray matter?
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What are the two types of white matter?
What are the two types of white matter?
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How many spinal nerves are there?
How many spinal nerves are there?
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How many cranial nerves are there?
How many cranial nerves are there?
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What are the types of nerves?
What are the types of nerves?
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What are the two roots of spinal nerves?
What are the two roots of spinal nerves?
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What type of tissue surrounds a nerve?
What type of tissue surrounds a nerve?
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What is the dorsal root responsible for?
What is the dorsal root responsible for?
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What is the ventral root responsible for?
What is the ventral root responsible for?
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What is the reflex arc?
What is the reflex arc?
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What is a stretch reflex?
What is a stretch reflex?
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What is an agonist muscle?
What is an agonist muscle?
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What is an antagonist muscle?
What is an antagonist muscle?
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Study Notes
Functions of the Spinal Cord
- Conducts impulses from the brain and integrates reflexes.
Meninges
- Protective coverings of the Central Nervous System (CNS), both spinal and cranial.
Meningeal Layers
- Composed of three layers: Dura Mater (outer), Arachnoid Mater (middle), Pia Mater (inner).
Spaces Between Meningeal Layers
- Epidural space: located above Dura Mater, filled with fat.
- Subdural space: found between Dura and Arachnoid Mater, contains interstitial fluid.
- Subarachnoid space: lies between Arachnoid and Pia Mater, filled with Cerebrospinal fluid.
Denticulate Ligament
- Extensions of pia mater that secure the spinal cord in place.
External Anatomy of the Spinal Cord
- Shape: Roughly cylindrical with cervical and lumbar enlargements, conus medullaris, and cauda equina.
Conus Medullaris
- The terminus of the spinal cord, situated at lumbar vertebrae L1 and L2.
Filum Terminale
- An extension of the pia mater extending below the spinal cord, located at L4 and L5; facilitates the collection of spinal fluid.
Cauda Equina
- A bundle of spinal nerves resembling a horse's tail.
Internal Anatomy of the Spinal Cord
- Features anterior median fissure, posterior median sulcus, gray matter (cell bodies), gray commissure, central canal, and white matter (myelinated axons).
Gray Matter
- Comprises clusters of neuronal cell bodies (nuclei).
White Matter
- Composed of myelinated axon groups known as tracts, with two types: ascending and descending.
Spinal Nerves
- Total of 31 spinal nerves: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal; each connected to the spinal cord via two roots.
Nerve Roots
- Dorsal root: sensory information, contains dorsal root ganglion.
- Ventral root: carries motor information.
Ramus Structure
- Dorsal (posterior) ramus: innervates the back.
- Ventral (anterior) ramus: supplies the front torso and limbs.
Plexuses
- Networks of nerves innervating specific body regions: cervical, brachial, lumbar, sacral.
Cervical Plexus
- Innervates the head and neck, includes the phrenic nerve.
Phrenic Nerve
- Controls the diaphragm, essential for breathing.
Brachial Plexus
- Responsible for the innervation of the shoulder and upper limbs.
Lumbar Plexus
- Supplies the abdominal wall, anterior, and medial thigh muscles.
Sacral Plexus
- Innervates the hamstring, gluteal muscles, and lower limbs; contains the sciatic nerve.
Sciatic Nerve
- Large-diameter nerve arising from the sacral plexus.
Reflex Activity of the Spinal Cord
- Involuntary, rapid responses to stimuli, includes stretch reflex, tendon reflex, flexor reflex, and crossed extensor reflex.
Reflex Arc Components
- Includes sensory receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, and effector.
Integration Centers
- Can involve spinal reflexes or cranial reflexes.
Reflex Effectors
- Somatic reflexes target skeletal muscles, autonomic reflexes target smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands.
Types of Reflexes
- Stretch reflex: Monosynaptic and ipsilateral.
- Tendon reflex: Polysynaptic and ipsilateral.
- Flexor (withdrawal) reflex: Triggered by a painful stimulus, polysynaptic and ipsilateral.
- Crossed extensor reflex: Involves multiple synapses and is contralateral.
Synapse Types
- Monosynaptic: One synapse; Polysynaptic: multiple synapses.
Body Side Effects
- Ipsilateral: affects the same side; Contralateral: affects the opposite side.
Function Relationships
- Agonist: functional similarities; Antagonist: functional opposites.
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Description
This quiz explores the functions and structures of the spinal cord, including its protective coverings known as meninges. You will learn about the various layers of the meninges, the spaces between them, and the anatomy of the spinal cord itself. Test your knowledge on these crucial aspects of the Central Nervous System!
