Spinal Cord Anatomy Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the main functions of the spinal cord?

  • Regulating heart rate
  • Producing hormones
  • Filtering blood
  • Processing reflexes (correct)

    • Cerebrospinal fluid provides protection for the spinal cord.

    True

    What are the three layers of the meninges?

    Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater

    The spinal cord begins at the level of the ________ and terminates at the level of L2.

    <p>foramen magnum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the spinal cord anatomy with its description:

    <p>Filum terminale = Anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx Cauda equina = Roots of lower spinal nerves Cervical enlargement = Sensory input and motor output to upper extremities Lumbar enlargement = Sensory and motor functions for the lower body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the spinal cord corresponds to the upper extremities?

    <p>Cervical enlargement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spinal cord is protected only by the vertebrae.

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

    Name the two enlargements of the spinal cord.

    <p>Cervical enlargement and lumbar enlargement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a lumbar puncture?

    <p>To withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lumbar punctures are typically done above the 3rd lumbar vertebrae.

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

    What substances may be injected into the subarachnoid space during a lumbar puncture?

    <p>Antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, analgesics, or contrast media.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ connects the central nervous system (CNS) to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands.

    <p>spinal nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following components with their proper characteristics:

    <p>Spinal Nervous System = Connects CNS to body parts Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) = Fluid withdrawn during a lumbar puncture Epineurium = Sheath covering the entire nerve Perineurium = Surrounds nerve fascicles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many pairs of spinal nerves are there in the human body?

    <p>31 pairs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Anesthetics used in lumbar punctures are administered at the same dosage as those for epidural anesthesia.

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

    What structure is involved in measuring the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid during a lumbar puncture?

    <p>Subarachnoid space (SAS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nerve is the largest arising from the lumbar plexus?

    <p>Femoral Nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The sciatic nerve is a single nerve with no divisions.

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

    What is the role of gray matter in the spinal cord?

    <p>It receives and integrates incoming and outgoing information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ nerve splits into its two divisions at the knee.

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

    Match the following nerves with their primary functions:

    <p>Femoral Nerve = Extensor muscles of knee joint Obturator Nerve = Adductor muscles of hip joint Sciatic Nerve = Hamstring muscles Coccygeal Nerve = Coccyx sensation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about white matter tracts is accurate?

    <p>They conduct nerve impulses to and from the brain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The lumbar plexus includes the sciatic nerve.

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

    What is the origin of the femoral nerve?

    <p>L2–L4</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many pairs of lumbar spinal nerves are there?

    <p>5 pairs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The phrenic nerve is primarily responsible for motor functions related to the diaphragm.

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

    Name one major plexus formed from the anterior rami of spinal nerves.

    <p>Cervical plexus, brachial plexus, lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, or celiac plexus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ nerve is responsible for supplying the diaphragm.

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

    Match the following spinal nerve types with their descriptions:

    <p>Cervical = Supplies the head and neck, includes phrenic nerve Thoracic = Supplies the upper limbs Lumbar = Supplies the lower back and anterior lower limbs Sacral = Supplies the pelvic region and posterior lower limbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding the rami of spinal nerves?

    <p>They have both sensory and motor functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The median nerve is unaffected by carpal tunnel syndrome.

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

    What segmental nerves are responsible for dermatomes?

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

    What is a reflex?

    <p>A fast, involuntary response to a stimulus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ipsilateral reflex arcs involve response actions occurring on opposite sides of the body.

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

    Name one important spinal reflex and its response.

    <p>Patellar reflex, which causes the leg to extend.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ reflex causes withdrawal of a limb to avoid injury or pain.

    <p>Flexor (Withdrawal)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which reflex causes contraction of a muscle that has been stretched?

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

    All reflexes are mediated by the gray matter of the cerebrum.

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

    What is the effect of the crossed-extensor reflex during a withdrawal reflex?

    <p>It maintains balance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following reflexes with their descriptions:

    <p>Patellar reflex = Leg extends in response to patellar tendon stretch Achilles reflex = Contraction of the calf when Achilles tendon is stimulated Babinski reflex = Extension of the big toe in response to foot sole stimulation Tendon reflex = Relaxation of muscle attached to stimulated tendon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does transection of the spinal cord result in?

    <p>Paralysis depending on the level of injury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Compression of the spinal cord can be caused by tumors.

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

    What is the primary cause of shingles?

    <p>Herpes zoster virus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Demyelination of oligodendroglia is associated with __________.

    <p>Multiple Sclerosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following result from traumatic injuries to the spinal cord?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of paralysis with its description:

    <p>Quadriplegia = No function from neck down Paraplegia = Loss of function in lower limbs Monoplegia = Loss of function in one limb Hemiplegia = Loss of function on one side of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Death due to transection at the base of the skull is due to complications from spinal cord injury.

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

    Name a progressive nervous system disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

    <p>Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction

    • The chapter focuses on identifying and describing the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
    • It details the functions of the spinal cord and spinal nerves and how they manage homeostasis.
    • It explains spinal reflex arcs.

    Functions of the Spinal Cord

    • Processes reflexes.
    • Integrates EPSPs and IPSPs.
    • Conducts sensory impulses to the brain and motor impulses to effectors.

    Spinal Cord Anatomy

    • The spinal cord is protected by bone (vertebrae), connective tissue (meninges), and cerebrospinal fluid.

    Protection of the Spinal Cord

    • Protected by bone (vertebrae).
    • Protected by connective tissue (meninges).
    • Protected by fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).

    Meninges

    • The meninges are composed of three layers.
    • Dura mater
    • Arachnoid mater
    • Pia mater

    External Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

    • The spinal cord begins as an extension of the medulla oblongata at the foramen magnum and ends at the level of L2.
    • The spinal cord has two enlargements, one in the cervical area (C4-T1) and another in the lumbar area.
    • Cervical enlargement deals with sensory input and motor output to the upper extremities.
    • Lumbar enlargement deals with motor output and sensory input to and from the legs.
    • The spinal cord has a conus medullaris from which the filum terminale arises to anchor the cord to the coccyx.
    • The cauda equina are the roots of the lower spinal nerves that angle down alongside the filum terminale.

    External Spinal Cord Anatomy (Roots)

    • Two bundles of axons, called roots, connect each spinal nerve to the cord, using rootlets as their smaller bundles.
    • The posterior (dorsal) root and rootlets carry only sensory axons to the CNS.
    • Each posterior root has a swelling (posterior or dorsal root ganglion), and cell bodies of sensory neurons reside it.
    • The anterior (ventral) root and rootlets carry motor neuron axons from the CNS to the muscles and glands.

    Epidural Anesthesia

    • A common procedure for women in labor.
    • A needle is placed between the bones of the posterior spine until it only penetrates the ligamentum flavum while remaining superficial to the dura mater.
    • Local anesthetic is used to provide pain relief, even for a cesarean section.

    Lumbar Puncture

    • A needle inserted into the subarachnoid space to extract CSF, diagnose meningitis and other CNS diseases or to instill a drug.
    • CSF and pressure measurements are conducted.

    Spinal Nerves (1 of 2)

    • Spinal nerves connect the CNS to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands.
    • There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
    • Anterior and posterior roots attach a spinal nerve to the spinal cord.

    Connective Tissue Covering of Spinal Nerves

    • Each spinal nerve has three layers: epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium.
    • These connective tissue layers support nerve fascicles and individual nerve fibers.

    Peripheral Nerves

    • Spinal nerves are pathways between the spinal cord and body regions.
    • Nerves in fascicles covered by the perineurium and sheathed by epineurium.

    Peripheral Nerve Arrangement

    • 31 pairs of spinal nerves
    • Cervical nerves: 8 pairs (C1-C8)
    • Thoracic nerves: 12 pairs (T1-T12)
    • Lumbar nerves: 5 pairs (L1-L5)
    • Sacral nerves: 5 pairs (S1-S5)
    • Coccygeal nerve: 1 pair

    Branches of a Spinal Nerve

    • Spinal nerves quickly split into rami (branches): anterior ramus, posterior ramus, and rami communicantes.
    • Rami communicantes connect to sympathetic ganglia.

    Dermatomes

    • Certain parts of skin are supplied by specific spinal nerves.
    • Dermatomes carry somatic sensory nerve impulses to the brain

    Cervical Plexus (1 of 3)

    • Supplies skin and muscles of the head, neck, superior shoulder and chest, and diaphragm

    Cervical Plexus (3 of 3)

    • Deep branches are largely motor and include the phrenic nerve.
    • Phrenic nerve supplies the diaphragm

    Brachial Plexus (1 of 6)

    • Almost the entire nerve supply to the shoulders and upper limbs.
    • A lesion of the median nerve can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

    Brachial Plexus (2 of 6)

    • Provides almost the entire nerve supply to the shoulders and upper limbs.

    Brachial Plexus (3 of 6)

    • Some common injuries to the brachial plexus include Erb-Duchenne palsy (waiter's tip) and median nerve palsy.

    Nerve Plexuses

    • Long thoracic nerve supplies serratus anterior muscle.
    • Injury to the long thoracic nerve results in a winged scapula.

    Nerve Plexuses

    • Some common injuries to the brachial plexus include erb's palsy and ulnar nerve palsy.

    Nerve Plexuses

    • Median nerve injury can result in numbness, tingling, and pain in the palm and fingers.
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type of median nerve injury, associated with motions of the hand and typing on a computer keyboard.

    Lumbar Plexus (1 of 4)

    • Its components include iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, femoral, and obturator nerves.

    Lumbar Plexus (2 of 4)

    • Includes components such as iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, femoral and obturator nerves.

    Lumbar Plexus (4 of 4)

    • The femoral nerve is the largest nerve of the lumbar plexus.
    • The obturator nerve supplies the adductor muscles of the hip.

    Sacral Plexus

    • The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in this plexus.

    Sacral Plexus and Coccygeal Plexus

    • Composed of the S4, S5, and coccygeal spinal nerves.
    • The components include the superior and inferior gluteal nerves and the nerve to the quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus

    Sacral Plexus (2 of 6)

    • Contains the tibial and common fibular nerves (part of the sciatic nerve), and other, smaller nerves.

    Sacral Plexus (5 of 6)

    • The sciatic nerve is composed of the tibial and common fibular nerves.

    Spinal Cord Physiology

    • White matter tracts conduct nerve impulses to and from the brain.
    • Gray matter receives and integrates information used in spinal reflexes.

    Sensory and Motor Tracts

    • Various tracts in the white matter of the spinal cord conduct sensory and motor information.

    Reflexes and Reflex Arcs

    • A reflex is a speedy, involuntary response to a stimulus.
    • Reflexes use the gray matter of the spinal cord as an integrating center.

    Reflexes Interactions Animation: General Components of a Reflex Arc

    • Sensory receptors respond to stimuli producing a generator or receptor potential
    • Sensory neuron carries impulses from receptor to integration center.
    • Integrating center (within CNS) relays impulse from sensory to motor neuron.
    • Motor neuron transmits impulses to effectors.
    • Effectors are muscle or glands responding to motor impulses.

    Reflex Arcs: Vocabulary Terms

    • Ipsilateral: same side; Contralateral: opposite side; Monosynaptic: one synapse
    • Polysynaptic: multiple synapses; Reciprocal innervation: simultaneous contraction of one muscle, and relaxation of its counterpart.

    Stretch Reflex

    • Causes a muscle to contract due to being stretched.
    • The sensory receptor is the muscle spindle.
    • Sensory neuron axons are excited by being stretched and transmit impulses to the spinal cord.
    • A motor neuron stimulates the same muscle and relieves the stretching (the effector).
    • Antagonistic muscles have reduced activity during the reflex.

    Tendon Reflex

    • Causes a muscle to relax as a response to a stretching stimulus on the tendon.
    • The sensory receptor is the Golgi tendon organ.
    • The sensory neuron axons transmit impulses to inhibitory interneurons located in the spinal cord.
    • Inhibitory interneurons inhibit the motor neuron activity to the muscle attached to the same tendon.
    • Extensor muscles are activated throughout this reflex, which relieves excess tension on the tendon.

    Flexor (Withdrawal) Reflex

    • Causes a limb to withdrawal in response to stimuli that causes pain or injury.
    • Interneurons transmit impulses to motor neurons involved in flexor muscle contraction.
    • Impulses to flexor muscles are activated, which withdraws the affected limb.
    • This causes reciprocal innervation with antagonist muscle inhibition.

    Crossed-Extensor Reflex

    • Helps maintain balance during a withdrawal reflex.
    • Contraction of these muscles balances opposing forces.
    • Opposite limbs are activated—flexion in one limb accompanies extension in the other limb.

    Reflexes

    • Important spinal reflexes, such as the patellar reflex and the Achilles reflex, are discussed.

    Reflexes

    • The Babinski reflex, a crucial diagnostic reflex, is covered

    Disorders (1 of 4)

    • Traumatic injuries can lead to monoplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia.

    Disorders (2 of 4)

    • The extent of paralysis after a spinal cord injury depends on the location of the injury.
    • The severity of the injury can result in loss of function from neck down or varying degrees of arm and chest muscle control.

    Damage to the Cord

    • "Transection" damages ascending and descending spinal cord tracts (partially or completely).
    • Transection may occur in a vehicle or diving accident, leading to the occurrence of paralysis depending on the injury's location.

    Disorders

    • Spinal cord compression (caused by bone, blood, pus, tumor, or ruptured disk).
    • Degenerative diseases (multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS].
    • Shingles—caused by herpes zoster virus, resulting in painful, skin discolorations and blisters
    • Poliomyelitis—caused by poliovirus, resulting in paralysis.

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