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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the spinal cord?
Which type of neurons is responsible for transmitting impulses to higher CNS levels?
How is the gray matter of the spinal cord arranged?
Which part of the spinal cord encloses the nerve cell bodies?
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What characterizes the white matter of the spinal cord?
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What type of spinal nerve provides sensory perception and motor function for the upper trunk?
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Alpha motor neurons are primarily located in which area of the spinal cord?
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How many segments does the spinal cord have?
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What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter released by Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex?
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Which cerebellar structure is primarily involved in controlling posture and equilibrium?
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What function is primarily associated with the cerebrocerebellum?
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Which of the following statements about the cerebellum is true?
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How does the archicerebellum affect muscle tone?
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What pathway does the interpositus nuclei utilize to communicate with the motor cortex?
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Which of the following cerebellar nuclei is responsible for controlling agonist and antagonist muscles?
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What is the purpose of the fastigiospinal tract?
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What is the primary function of the lateral vestibulospinal tract?
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Which statement about upper motor neurons (UMNs) is accurate?
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What is the primary source of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production?
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Where does the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow after the fourth ventricle?
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How does CSF formation occur at the cellular level?
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Which type of neuron is responsible for relaying signals from the brain to the skeletal muscles?
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What role do perivascular spaces play in the brain?
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Which of the following structures predominantly contains the white matter of the spinal cord?
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Study Notes
Spinal Cord Overview
- A long, slender cylinder of nerve tissue extending from the brain stem.
- Approximately 45 cm in males and 43 cm in females, with a diameter of 2 cm.
- Enclosed by the protective vertebral column and covered by meninges.
- Comprised of 31 segments correlating with 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
Spinal Nerves
- 8 Cervical nerves control sensory perception and motor function in the back of the head, neck, and arms.
- 12 Thoracic nerves innervate the upper trunk.
- 5 Lumbar nerves serve the lower trunk and legs.
- 5 Sacral nerves provide innervation for the lower trunk and legs.
- 1 Coccygeal nerve is the terminal spinal nerve.
Functions of Spinal Cord
- Conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain.
- Processes sensory input from skin, joints, and muscles of the trunk and limbs.
- Initiates reflex responses to sensory input.
Internal Structure of Spinal Cord
- Divided into inner gray matter and outer white matter.
- Gray matter contains nerve cell bodies, dendrites, and parts of axons, resembling a butterfly or the letter 'H'.
- Gray matter has three horns: ventral (anterior), dorsal (posterior), and lateral gray horns.
Neurons in Gray Matter
- Second-order sensory neurons are located in the dorsal horn, receiving input from first-order sensory neurons.
- Somatic motor neurons are found in the ventral horn, with two types:
- Alpha motor neurons innervate skeletal muscle fibers to induce contraction.
- Lateral vestibulospinal tract modulates extensor and flexor muscle activity.
Upper and Lower Motor Neurons
- Upper motor neurons extend from the cerebral cortex to the motor neuron pool in the brainstem and spinal cord.
- Lower motor neurons make up the motor neuron pool, sending axons to skeletal muscles.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Overview
- Total volume in the cranial cavity: 1600-1700 ml; volume of CSF: 150 ml.
- CSF is found in the brain's ventricles, cisterns around the brain, and subarachnoid space.
- Functions include protective cushioning, floating the brain, and serving as a medium for exchange.
Formation and Pathway of CSF
- CSF is primarily produced by the choroid plexus in lateral ventricles at a rate of 500 ml/day.
- It follows a specific pathway from lateral ventricles to subarachnoid space, ultimately entering venous sinuses.
Perivascular Spaces and CSF
- Perivascular spaces serve as a lymphatic system for the brain, contributing to nutrient exchange and waste removal.
Efferent Connections from the Cerebellum
- Fastigeal nuclei control posture via fastigiospinal tract.
- Interpositus nuclei help coordinate and sequence motor activities, regulating muscle tone.
- Outputs from the cerebellar cortex are primarily from Purkinje cells, which provide inhibitory control using GABA.
Functions of the Cerebellum
- Monitors and modulates movement rather than initiating it.
- Plays a crucial role in maintaining posture, equilibrium, and muscle tone, adjusting to sensory feedback.
- Engages in predictive functions during rapid motion or direction changes.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the motor and integrative aspects of neurophysiology, specifically related to spinal reflexes. It covers the structure and function of the spinal cord, including its segments and their connection to spinal nerves. Test your knowledge on this essential neurological component.
