Spinal Cord Anatomy and Meninges
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Questions and Answers

What is the function of the subarachnoid space?

  • It serves as a protective barrier against infections.
  • It facilitates the exchange of nutrients between tissues.
  • It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. (correct)
  • It anchors the spinal cord to the vertebrae.

    • Which portion of white matter is located between the anterolateral sulcus and the anterior median fissure?

  • Anterior funiculus (correct)
  • Lateral funiculus
  • Posterior funiculus
  • Dorsolateral funiculus

    • What is the outermost layer of the meninges?

  • Pia mater
  • Subdural space
  • Dura mater (correct)
  • Arachnoid mater

    • What structure provides support through the subarachnoid space to the dura mater?

    <p>Denticulate ligaments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is contained within the epidural space?

    <p>Adipose tissue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the space between the dura mater and the bone?

    <p>Epidural space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the pia mater primarily known for?

    <p>Giving rise to denticulate ligaments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the denticulate ligaments connect?

    <p>Dura mater and pia mater</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which regions contain the cell bodies of the motor neurons and interneurons that innervate the lower limbs and trunk?

    <p>Lumbar and sacral regions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the ventral horns at the cervical and lumbar enlargements?

    <p>They are larger because they contain motor neurons for limb muscles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the lateral horn found in thoracic segments?

    <p>To house pre-ganglionic sympathetic neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are the Rexed laminae organized within the grey matter of the spinal cord?

    <p>They are numbered from dorsal to ventral with Roman numerals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which lamina is located around the central canal of the spinal cord?

    <p>Lamina X</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of Radicular neurons in the spinal cord?

    <p>To give rise to roots, including somatic motoneurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is found only in specific portions of the spinal cord?

    <p>Nucleus dorsalis (medial region of lamina VII)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do the enlargements have a less lamellar organization in their ventral horns?

    <p>Motor neurons are clustered rather than organized in layers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of motoneurons innervate intrafusal muscle fibers?

    <p>Gamma motoneurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symptom is NOT commonly associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

    <p>Impaired urinary function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the contractile component of intrafusal muscle fibers differ from that of extrafusal muscle fibers?

    <p>It is located only at the extremities in intrafusal fibers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of reflex involves 1a inhibitory interneurons?

    <p>Stretch reflex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically leads to death in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

    <p>Failure of respiratory muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of extrafusal muscle fibers?

    <p>Contractile components are present throughout their length</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the patellar tendon reflex, what triggers the response?

    <p>Tapping the patellar tendon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about beta motoneurons is true?

    <p>They innervate both extrafusal and intrafusal muscle fibers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily observed during the evaluation of motor weakness?

    <p>Dorsiflexion of the great toes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the correct term for the termination of the spinal cord?

    <p>Conus medullaris</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the subarachnoid space located for lumbar punctures?

    <p>Between L3 and L4 or L4 and L5</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure is referred to as the cauda equina?

    <p>Spinal nerves below the conus medullaris</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the lumbar cistern?

    <p>8-15 mm of Hg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does cauda equina syndrome involve?

    <p>Compression of multiple lumbosacral nerve roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the filum terminale?

    <p>It connects the conus medullaris to the coccyx</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the white matter structure of the spinal cord change along its length?

    <p>It decreases caudally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key clinical concern regarding the segmental veins?

    <p>They can allow metastasis of tumors to the vertebrae.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following symptoms is NOT associated with meningitis?

    <p>Jaundice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of a clear tumbler against a rash in meningococcal septicaemia signify?

    <p>The rash indicates blood vessel damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a typical symptom associated with nerve root compression?

    <p>Back pain and referred pain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is most likely to cause compression of nerve roots?

    <p>Herniation of the nucleus polposus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When does the pain from a herniated disc typically increase?

    <p>With stretching of the affected nerve root.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential effect of compression of nerve roots on muscle function?

    <p>Weakness and decreased reflex responses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the pain related to posterior root fibers when affected by a prolapsed disc?

    <p>Compression of the root fibers themselves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the hamstrings when the quadriceps contracts?

    <p>They relax due to inhibition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of interneurons are responsible for inhibiting motoneurons that extend the leg during a withdrawal reflex?

    <p>Inhibitory interneurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of central pattern generators in the spinal cord?

    <p>To generate rhythmic locomotion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the withdrawal reflex, how does the body ensure balance when retracting the stimulated leg?

    <p>The other leg extends.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the pathway of the stimulus from the sole of the foot during the withdrawal reflex?

    <p>It first reaches the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do 1a fibres play in reflex actions involving the quadriceps?

    <p>They excite inhibitory interneurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of reflex is characterized by the leg retracting and flexing when stepping on something pointy?

    <p>Flexion withdrawal reflex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when the stimulus exits via the ventral root in reflex actions?

    <p>It generates excitatory and inhibitory signals from the same axon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Spinal Cord Anatomy

    • The spinal cord runs from the foramen magnum to the first lumbar vertebra (L1/L2)
    • Its position makes it vulnerable to damage from vertebral column strain
    • It's connected to the body through spinal nerves
    • Each spinal cord segment has four spinal roots and two spinal nerves
    • 31 (or 33) segments in total (varying classifications)
      • 8 cervical
      • 12 thoracic
      • 5 lumbar
      • 5 sacral
      • 1 coccygeal (or 3)
    • Cervical and lumbar enlargements accommodate more neurons for upper/lower limb innervation (larger diameter area)
    • The spinal cord has grooves for arteries (anterior median fissure, anterolateral sulcus, dorsolateral sulcus, and median posterior sulcus)
    • The spinal cord roots exit at intervertebral foramina
    • The spinal cord has nerve roots exiting at oblique angles due to the longer vertebral column

    Spinal Cord Meninges

    • Pia mater(innermost), arachnoid mater (middle), dura mater (outermost) surround and protect the cord
    • The epidural space between the dura and the vertebra houses adipose tissue and venous plexuses.
    • The subarachnoid space contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
    • Branches from the pia mater extend to the dura mater, called denticulate ligaments

    Spinal Cord Internal Structure

    • The white matter decreases towards the caudal end (lower part of the spinal cord)
    • Grey matter has different areas of function and cell clusters (different laminae), varying in location and size
      • Laminae are numbered to label different sections
    • The internal structure of the spinal cord contains cell bodies, axons, of interneurons, and motor neurons
    • Ventral (anterior) and dorsal (posterior) horns are for motor and sensory neurons respectively
    • Lateral horns are in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions and contain pre-ganglionic sympathetic neurons
    • The cauda equina is the collection of spinal nerves extending below the conus medullaris and is located in the lumbar cistern

    Spinal Cord Blood Supply

    • The anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord.
    • Posterior spinal arteries supply the posterior section and are connected to segmental arteries.
    • The artery of Adamkiewicz, originating frequently from the posterior intercostal arteries, is crucial for lower 2/3 of the spinal cord supply, as it anastomoses with other arteries.

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    Description

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