Spinal Anatomy and Nerve Emergence

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Questions and Answers

Which statement about the emergence of spinal nerves is correct?

C8 nerve emerges above the C7 vertebra

T1 emerges below the first thoracic vertebra

C1 nerve emerges above the axis (correct)

C3 nerve emerges above the C3 vertebra

What regions does the anterior ramus NOT supply?

The muscles and structures of the upper limb

The deep muscles of the back (correct)

The muscles and structures of the lower limb

The muscles and skin of the lateral and anterior regions of the trunk

Which statement regarding denticulate ligaments is accurate?

They help to suspend the spinal cord (correct)

They are positioned between anterior and posterior roots of the spinal nerve

They are extensions of the arachnoid mater

They run through the epidural space

Which statement about the gray matter of the spinal cord is correct?

The central canal is found within the gray commissure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is NOT true concerning the spinal nerve components?

It is entirely composed of afferent fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the types of neurons?

There are 3 types of neurons: unipolar, pseudopolar, and multipolar. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a nerve in the peripheral nervous system?

A collection of axons found in the peripheral nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What do we call a collection of axons that is located outside the central nervous system?

A nerve. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about neuroglial cells is correct?

The Schwann cell produces myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the somatic nervous system is correct?

It has sensory receptors in the skin, skeletal muscle, joints and special senses. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the central area of the cerebellum?

Vermis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cerebellar fibers are considered excitatory?

Both (B) and (C) are correct Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the overall motor function of the cerebellum?

Help with postural control and balance Signup and view all the answers

Which structure represents the white matter of the cerebellum?

Arbor vitae Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a deep cerebellar nucleus?

Vestibular Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is not part of the gray matter of the brain?

the internal capsule Signup and view all the answers

In which lobe is the entorhinal cortex located?

temporal lobe Signup and view all the answers

Which special sense is not processed in the primary somatosensory cortex?

hearing Signup and view all the answers

What separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe?

central sulcus Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is identified as the primary motor cortex?

precentral gyrus Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a general somatic sensory receptor from a specialized one?

General receptors consist of free nerve endings. Signup and view all the answers

Nociceptors are primarily responsible for sensing which type of stimulus?

pain Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the somatic nervous system is incorrect?

Effector organs include smooth muscle. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is not a fiber tract of the limbic system?

mamillohabenular tract Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the limbic lobe consists of both the cingulate gyrus and the parahippocampal gyrus?

Both (a) and (c) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a function of the limbic system?

motor coordination Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is classified under both the diencephalon and basal ganglia?

subthalamic nuclei Signup and view all the answers

What does the lenticular nucleus primarily consist of?

putamen and globus pallidus Signup and view all the answers

Which option about the dura mater is correct?

It is made of dense, irregular connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is false regarding the meninges?

Arachnoid mater is composed of solid dense connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the falx cerebri?

It is a dural fold. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spinal Nerve Emergences

C1 nerve emerges above the axis (C2 vertebra)
C3 nerve emerges below the C3 vertebra
C8 nerve emerges below the C7 vertebra
T1 nerve emerges above the first thoracic vertebra

Anterior Ramus

Supplies muscles and structures of the upper and lower limbs and the lateral and anterior regions of the trunk.
Does not supply the deep muscles of the back.

Denticulate Ligaments

Help suspend the spinal cord
Found between the anterior and posterior roots of the spinal nerve
Run through the subarachnoid space
Are not triangular extensions of the dura mater

Gray Matter of the Spinal Cord

The central canal is found within the gray commissure
The anterior gray horn contains somatic motor nuclei
The lateral gray horn in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments contains the bodies of autonomic motor nuclei
The posterior gray horn does not contain somatic sensory nuclei

Gray Matter of the Brain

Includes basal ganglia, cerebral cortex, nuclei of the brainstem and cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, axon terminals, and neuroglia.
Does not include the internal capsule

Entorhinal Cortex

Located in the temporal lobe

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Processes information related to touch, temperature, pain, and pressure.
Does not process information related to vision, balance and equilibrium, olfaction, or hearing.

Frontal Lobe

Separated from the parietal lobe by the central sulcus
Contains the precentral gyrus, which is the primary motor cortex.
Is the largest lobe of the cerebral cortex.

General and Specialized Somatic Sensory Receptors

General receptors consist of free nerve endings and are part of the neuron.
Specialized receptors are usually non-neural.

Nociceptors

Respond to pain

Somatic Nervous System

Conveys mostly conscious information to the central nervous system.
Sensory receptors reside in the skin, skeletal muscles, and joints.
Effector organs are skeletal muscles
Generally causes a voluntary motor response
Motor efferents run out from the central nervous system to the effector organs

Neurons and Neuroglial Cells

Neurons propagate action potentials.
There are three types of neurons: unipolar, bipolar, and multipolar.
Four types of neuroglial cells are found in the central nervous system.
Two types of neuroglial cells are found in the peripheral nervous system.

Nerves

A collection of axons found in the peripheral nervous system

Ganglion

A collection of nerve cell bodies found in the peripheral nervous system

Fiber Tracts

Bundles of axons found in the central nervous system

Schwann Cells and Oligodendrocytes

Schwann cells produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
Oligodendrocytes form myelin in the central nervous system.
Oligodendrocytes are also part of the blood-brain barrier.

Ependymal Cells

Produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid.

Functions of the Somatic Nervous System

Contains sensory receptors in the skin, skeletal muscle, joints & special senses.
Generally voluntary.
Generally consciously perceives sensory information.

Cerebellum

Overall motor function is to help regulate posture and balance and evaluate how well movements initiated in the motor cortex are actually carried out.
Does not initiate movement.
Does not directly control the primary motor cortex.

Cerebellar White Matter

Known as arbor vitae

Central Area of the Cerebellum

Called the vermis

Cerebellar Nuclei

Give rise to the outgoing axons.
Found within the folia.

Excitatory Fibers in the Cerebellum

Climbing fibres
Mossy fibres

Lateral Wings of the Cerebellum

Called the cerebellar hemispheres

Posterior Surface of the Cerebellum

Contains the septum pellucidum

Functions of the Limbic System

Emotional behaviour.
Declarative memory.
Olfaction.
Motivations and drives.

Brainstem and Basal Ganglia

The substantia nigra belongs to the brainstem as well as the basal ganglia.

Limbic Lobe

Consists of the cingulate gyrus, hippocampal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and dentate gyrus.

Fiber Tracts of the Limbic System

Fornix
Stria medullaris thalami
Stria terminalis

Diencephalon and Basal Ganglia

The subthalamic nuclei belongs to both the diencephalon and the basal ganglia

Lenticular Nucleus

Consists of the putamen and globus pallidus.

Meninges

All three meninges cover the spinal nerve up to the point of exit through the intervertebral foramen
The dura mater is composed of dense, irregular connective tissue
The pia mater consists of squamous and cuboidal cells plus collagen and elastic fibres
The arachnoid mater is not a delicate vascular weblike membrane made up of collagen and elastic fibres, but a delicate, avascular membrane that is translucent.

Falx Cerebri

A dural fold
Not a commissural, projection, or association tract
Located within the longitudinal fissure

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of spinal nerves, including their emergence points and function. Explore the role of the anterior ramus, denticulate ligaments, and the gray matter of both the spinal cord and brain. This quiz is essential for understanding foundational concepts in anatomy and neuroanatomy.