Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following accurately describes the vertebral level at which the adult spinal cord typically terminates?
Which of the following accurately describes the vertebral level at which the adult spinal cord typically terminates?
- Upper border of S1
- Lower border of L1 (correct)
- Lower border of L3
- Upper border of L2
The lumbar cistern is a significant anatomical space created by the dilatation of which specific structure?
The lumbar cistern is a significant anatomical space created by the dilatation of which specific structure?
- Epidural space
- Subdural space
- Subarachnoid space (correct)
- Pia mater
Which artery directly supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord with blood?
Which artery directly supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord with blood?
- Vertebral artery
- Posterior spinal artery
- Radicular artery
- Anterior spinal artery (correct)
What is the primary function of the radicular arteries in the context of spinal cord blood supply?
What is the primary function of the radicular arteries in the context of spinal cord blood supply?
With respect to the vertebral column, where do the cervical spinal nerves typically emerge?
With respect to the vertebral column, where do the cervical spinal nerves typically emerge?
Which structures are contained within the lumbar cistern?
Which structures are contained within the lumbar cistern?
What is the outermost meningeal layer of the spinal cord, and at what vertebral level does it terminate?
What is the outermost meningeal layer of the spinal cord, and at what vertebral level does it terminate?
Which of the following is NOT a function associated with the lumbar cistern?
Which of the following is NOT a function associated with the lumbar cistern?
Which spinal cord enlargement corresponds to the origin of the nerves that form the brachial plexus?
Which spinal cord enlargement corresponds to the origin of the nerves that form the brachial plexus?
The anterior median fissure and posterior median septum divide the spinal cord into what?
The anterior median fissure and posterior median septum divide the spinal cord into what?
What type of neurons are primarily found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord?
What type of neurons are primarily found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord?
In which region of the spinal cord is the lateral horn located, and what type of nerve cells does it contain?
In which region of the spinal cord is the lateral horn located, and what type of nerve cells does it contain?
Which area of the dorsal horn is responsible for mediating pain and temperature sensations?
Which area of the dorsal horn is responsible for mediating pain and temperature sensations?
Which of the following is a characteristic of the 'white matter' in the spinal cord?
Which of the following is a characteristic of the 'white matter' in the spinal cord?
What is the origin and termination of the filum terminale?
What is the origin and termination of the filum terminale?
Which of the following is NOT a function of CSF?
Which of the following is NOT a function of CSF?
Where in the spinal cord does the denticulate ligament extend from and to?
Where in the spinal cord does the denticulate ligament extend from and to?
Which of the following arteries is NOT a radicular artery arising from the spinal cord?
Which of the following arteries is NOT a radicular artery arising from the spinal cord?
Which of the following is the middle layer of the meniges?
Which of the following is the middle layer of the meniges?
Which of the spinal cord segments contains the Clark's nucleus?
Which of the spinal cord segments contains the Clark's nucleus?
How does the termination point of the spinal cord in newborns differ from its termination point in adults?
How does the termination point of the spinal cord in newborns differ from its termination point in adults?
A patient undergoing a lumbar puncture experiences referred pain in the lower limb. Which anatomical structure's proximity to the spinal needle is most likely responsible for this phenomenon?
A patient undergoing a lumbar puncture experiences referred pain in the lower limb. Which anatomical structure's proximity to the spinal needle is most likely responsible for this phenomenon?
Following a traumatic injury, a patient exhibits loss of pain and temperature sensation on one side of the body, while motor function and proprioception remain intact. Which spinal cord tract is most likely affected?
Following a traumatic injury, a patient exhibits loss of pain and temperature sensation on one side of the body, while motor function and proprioception remain intact. Which spinal cord tract is most likely affected?
A lesion in the spinal cord affects the anterior spinal artery. Which of the following functional deficits would most likely be observed?
A lesion in the spinal cord affects the anterior spinal artery. Which of the following functional deficits would most likely be observed?
What is the functional significance of the cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord?
What is the functional significance of the cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord?
A patient presents with an inability to consciously perceive proprioceptive information from their lower limb. Assuming a spinal cord lesion, which of the following structures would most likely be involved?
A patient presents with an inability to consciously perceive proprioceptive information from their lower limb. Assuming a spinal cord lesion, which of the following structures would most likely be involved?
Following a stab in the back, a patient experiences ipsilateral loss of motor function and proprioception, along with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation, all below the level of the injury. This presentation is most consistent with damage to which of the following?
Following a stab in the back, a patient experiences ipsilateral loss of motor function and proprioception, along with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation, all below the level of the injury. This presentation is most consistent with damage to which of the following?
What is the primary clinical relevance of understanding the vertebral level at which the spinal cord terminates in adults?
What is the primary clinical relevance of understanding the vertebral level at which the spinal cord terminates in adults?
Which of the following accurately compares the filum terminale internum and filum terminale externum?
Which of the following accurately compares the filum terminale internum and filum terminale externum?
If a patient has damage to the posterior intercostal arteries, what is the most likely consequence in relation to the spinal cord's arterial supply?
If a patient has damage to the posterior intercostal arteries, what is the most likely consequence in relation to the spinal cord's arterial supply?
During a surgical procedure near the spinal cord, the dura mater is inadvertently punctured. What is the most immediate risk associated with this complication?
During a surgical procedure near the spinal cord, the dura mater is inadvertently punctured. What is the most immediate risk associated with this complication?
A patient is diagnosed with a tumor that is compressing the lateral horn of the spinal cord in the thoracic region. Which of the following symptoms would be most likely to manifest as a result of this compression?
A patient is diagnosed with a tumor that is compressing the lateral horn of the spinal cord in the thoracic region. Which of the following symptoms would be most likely to manifest as a result of this compression?
What is the functional consequence of the unique arrangement of cervical spinal nerves emerging above their corresponding vertebrae (with the exception of C8)?
What is the functional consequence of the unique arrangement of cervical spinal nerves emerging above their corresponding vertebrae (with the exception of C8)?
If a patient demonstrates impaired motor control of the distal musculature of the upper extremity, which specific area of the ventral horn would likely be affected?
If a patient demonstrates impaired motor control of the distal musculature of the upper extremity, which specific area of the ventral horn would likely be affected?
A spinal cord injury results in damage to the ascending tracts within the dorsal column. What specific sensory deficits would you expect to observe in the patient?
A spinal cord injury results in damage to the ascending tracts within the dorsal column. What specific sensory deficits would you expect to observe in the patient?
A surgeon is performing a procedure that requires access to the spinal cord. To minimize the risk of damage, at which vertebral level should the surgeon aim to perform a laminectomy to access the spinal cord in an adult patient?
A surgeon is performing a procedure that requires access to the spinal cord. To minimize the risk of damage, at which vertebral level should the surgeon aim to perform a laminectomy to access the spinal cord in an adult patient?
Following a spinal cord injury, a patient exhibits spasticity primarily in the flexor muscles of the lower limb. Which of the following best explains the neurophysiological basis for this phenomenon?
Following a spinal cord injury, a patient exhibits spasticity primarily in the flexor muscles of the lower limb. Which of the following best explains the neurophysiological basis for this phenomenon?
A patient presents with a spinal cord lesion that selectively damages the substantia gelatinosa in the dorsal horn. What specific sensory deficit would you expect to observe?
A patient presents with a spinal cord lesion that selectively damages the substantia gelatinosa in the dorsal horn. What specific sensory deficit would you expect to observe?
Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes the innervation patterns of the medial and lateral groups of the ventral horn?
Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes the innervation patterns of the medial and lateral groups of the ventral horn?
A patient experiences a traumatic injury affecting the vertebral artery. What is the most critical implication of this injury concerning the spinal cord?
A patient experiences a traumatic injury affecting the vertebral artery. What is the most critical implication of this injury concerning the spinal cord?
Flashcards
Spinal Cord Begin
Spinal Cord Begin
Continuation of the medulla oblongata.
Spinal Cord Location
Spinal Cord Location
Upper 2/3 of the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord Length
Spinal Cord Length
45 cm in males, 42 cm in females.
Spinal Cord End
Spinal Cord End
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Cervical Enlargement
Cervical Enlargement
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Lumbar Enlargement
Lumbar Enlargement
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Dura Mater
Dura Mater
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Arachnoid Mater
Arachnoid Mater
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Pia Mater
Pia Mater
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Filum Terminale
Filum Terminale
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Denticulate Ligament
Denticulate Ligament
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Lumbar Cistern Definition
Lumbar Cistern Definition
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Lumbar Puncture
Lumbar Puncture
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Lumbar Puncture Function
Lumbar Puncture Function
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Anterior Spinal Artery
Anterior Spinal Artery
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Posterior Spinal Artery
Posterior Spinal Artery
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Radicular Arteries
Radicular Arteries
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Spinal Cord Composition
Spinal Cord Composition
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Medial Group
Medial Group
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Lateral Group
Lateral Group
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Sources of Radicular Arteries
Sources of Radicular Arteries
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Nerve Exit Exception
Nerve Exit Exception
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Ventral Nuclei Function
Ventral Nuclei Function
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Dorsal Nuclei Function
Dorsal Nuclei Function
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Lateral Horn
Lateral Horn
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Central Group
Central Group
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Venous Drainage
Venous Drainage
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Spinal Cord Divisions
Spinal Cord Divisions
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Study Notes
- The study notes detail the spinal cord's external features, lumbar cistern, arterial supply, venous drainage, relation of spinal nerves and vertebrae, and internal structure.
Spinal Cord External Features
- Originates as a continuation of the medulla oblongata below the foramen magnum.
- Situated in the upper two-thirds of the spinal cord.
- Measures 45 cm in length for males and 42 cm for females.
- Terminates as the conus medullaris.
- During fetal life, it fills the entire vertebral canal.
- In newborns, it ends at the L3 level.
- In adulthood, it ends at the lower border of L1.
- Cervical enlargement gives rise to the brachial plexus opposite C5-T1.
- Lumbar enlargement gives rise to the lumbo-sacral plexus opposite the lumbo-sacral region.
Meninges
- Dura is the outermost layer that ends at the S2 level.
- Arachnoid is the middle layer that ends at the S2 level.
- Pia is the innermost layer.
- The filum terminale extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx.
- The denticulate ligament extends from the pia to the dura.
Lumbar Cistern
- Is defined as the subarachnoid space dilatation at levels L2-S2.
- Contains CSF, the cauda equina, and the filum terminale.
- Utilization is for lumbar punctures, typically performed between L3 and L4.
- Used to drain CSF samples, inject medications/anesthetics, and measure CSF pressure.
Arterial Supply
- The anterior spinal artery arises from the vertebral artery and supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord.
- The posterior spinal artery is derived from the vertebral artery and supplies the posterior one-third of the spinal cord.
- Radicular arteries provide the main arterial supply to the lower spinal cord, originating from vertebral or ascending cervical arteries in the neck.
- Radicular arteries originate from posterior intercostal arteries in the thorax.
- Radicular arteries originate from lumbar arteries in the abdomen.
- Radicular arteries originate from lateral sacral arteries in the pelvis.
Venous Drainage
- The veins correspond to the arteries.
- They drain into the internal vertebral venous plexus located in the epidural space.
Spinal Nerve and Vertebrae Relation
- Cervical nerves emerge above their corresponding vertebrae.
- Exception to this rule is the 8th cervical nerve, which passes below the 7th cervical vertebra.
- All other spinal nerves emerge below their corresponding vertebrae.
Internal Structure of Spinal Cord
- The anterior median fissure and posterior median septum divide the spinal cord into two halves.
- Each half contains inner gray matter or nerve cell body, and outer white matter or axon of nerve cells.
White Matter Tracts
- Ascending tracts include the gracile and cuneate tracts.
- Lateral column includes the lateral spinothalamic, dorsal spinocerebellar, and ventral spinocerebellar tracts.
- Ventral column includes the ventral spinothalamic tract.
- Descending tracts include the rubrospinal and lateral cortico-spinal tracts.
- Ventral column descending tracts include ventral cortico-spinal, tecto-spinal, vestibule-spinal, and olivo-spinal tracts.
Gray Matter Horns
- Ventral horn contains motor neurons arranged in medial, lateral, and central groups.
- Medial group supplies trunk muscles.
- Lateral group supplies muscles of the limbs.
- Central group is found only in the lumbo-sacral segments.
- Ventral nuclei control extensors while dorsal nuclei control flexors.
- Lateral horn is present only in the thoraco-lumbar region and contains sympathetic nerve cells.
- Dorsal horn contains the postero-marginal nucleus, substantia gelatinosa, and nucleus proprius.
- Clark's nucleus is present from C8-L2.
Rexed Laminae and Function
- Rexed lamina I mediates pain and temperature sensation.
- Rexed laminae III & IV are involved in simple touch and pressure.
- Rexed lamina VII mediates unconscious proprioception.
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