12 Questions
What is the primary function of the deep muscles of the back?
To control posture and movements of the spinal column
What type of ligaments are the transverse, cruciate, alar, and tectorial ligaments?
AO ligaments
Which type of neuron is responsible for transmitting signals from the spinal cord to the muscles?
Descending neurons
What is the primary function of the ascending tracts?
To transmit signals from the periphery to the cerebral cortex
Which ligament is specific to the cervical spine?
Ligamentum nuchae
What is the sequence of information relay in the ascending tracts?
Peripheral receptor cerebral cortex
Which type of sensory information is carried by the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus Pathway?
Fine touch, vibration, and proprioception
Where do the second-order neurons decussate in the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus Pathway?
In the medulla
Which ascending tract is responsible for transmitting sensory information related to pain and temperature?
Anterolateral Pathway
Where are the cell bodies of the first-order neurons located in the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus Pathway?
In the dorsal root ganglia (DRG)
What is the function of the Trigeminothalamic Pathway?
Transmitting sensory information related to the face and head
How many ascending tracts use the system described in the sequence: Peripheral receptor → Cerebral cortex?
3
Study Notes
Ligaments of the Spinal Column
- 7 key ligaments of the vertebral column:
- Anterior longitudinal ligament
- Posterior longitudinal ligament
- Ligamentum nuchae of C-spine
- Supraspinous ligament of T&L-spine
- Interspinous ligament
- Intertransverse ligament
- Ligamentum flavum
- AA ligaments:
- Transverse, cruciate, alar, and tectorial ligaments
- AO ligaments:
- Anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital ligaments (membranes)
Deep Muscles of the Back
- 3 deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back:
- Associated with movements of the spinal column and control of posture
- Extend from the base of the cranium to the sacrum
- Divided into intermediate deep (erector spinae group) and deep deep (transversospinales group)
Functional Organisation of the Spinal Cord
- Information carried reaches mostly conscious level (cerebral cortex) and some subconscious centers (cerebellum)
- Sequence or order in way information is relayed:
- Peripheral receptor → cerebral cortex
- Ascending tracts:
- First-order neurone cell body in DRG
- Second-order neurone cell body in medulla oblongata
- Axon decussates to opposite side of CNS
- Third-order neurone cell body in thalamus
- Axons pass to somatosensory cortex in (ipsilateral) parietal lobe (POSTCENTRAL GYRUS)
Ascending Tracts
- 4 tracts:
- Dorsal Column/Posterior Column aka DC-medial lemniscus pathway or PC-medial lemniscus pathway
- Anterolateral Pathway aka Spinothalamic Tracts
- Trigeminothalamic Pathway
- Spinocerebellar tracts
- Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus Pathway (DCML):
- Carries sensory information related to fine touch, vibration, and proprioception
- Located between dorsal median sulcus and dorsal horn
- Second-order neurons decussate in the medulla and travel through the medial lemniscus in the brainstem to the thalamus
- Impulses are then forwarded to specific areas of the somatosensory cortex
- Anterolateral (Spinothalamic) Pathway:
- Located lateral and ventral to the ventral horn
- Nerve impulses for pain, temperature, itch, tickle, crude touch, and pressure
- First-order neurons synapse in the dorsal horn
- Second-order neurons decussate almost immediately in the spinal cord and continue as lateral or anterior spinothalamic tracts
Test your knowledge of the spinal column, including the ligaments of the vertebral column, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, and more. Review the key ligaments of the cervical spine and beyond.
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