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Questions and Answers
Which of these statements regarding the organization of the spinal cord is NOT true?
Which of these statements regarding the organization of the spinal cord is NOT true?
Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of the dorsal and ventral roots in the spinal cord?
Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of the dorsal and ventral roots in the spinal cord?
Which of the following structures is NOT directly involved in protecting the spinal cord?
Which of the following structures is NOT directly involved in protecting the spinal cord?
What is the function of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG)?
What is the function of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG)?
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Which of the following statements correctly describes the location of the epidural space?
Which of the following statements correctly describes the location of the epidural space?
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Which of the following statements correctly describes the function of the ventral ramus of a spinal nerve?
Which of the following statements correctly describes the function of the ventral ramus of a spinal nerve?
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Which of the following neuron types is NOT found in the gray matter of the spinal cord?
Which of the following neuron types is NOT found in the gray matter of the spinal cord?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the roots and rootlets of spinal nerves?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the roots and rootlets of spinal nerves?
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Which of the following structures is responsible for connecting the vertebral body to the vertebral arch?
Which of the following structures is responsible for connecting the vertebral body to the vertebral arch?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the Spinothalamic tract and the Dorsal Column Pathway?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the Spinothalamic tract and the Dorsal Column Pathway?
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A patient sustains a spinal cord injury that completely severs the dorsal column nuclei on the left side of the brainstem. Which of the following sensory deficits would this patient most likely experience?
A patient sustains a spinal cord injury that completely severs the dorsal column nuclei on the left side of the brainstem. Which of the following sensory deficits would this patient most likely experience?
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Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding somatotopic mapping in the Spinothalamic tract?
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding somatotopic mapping in the Spinothalamic tract?
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A patient experiences a stroke affecting the left ventral posterior thalamic nuclei. Which of the following sensory deficits would this patient most likely experience?
A patient experiences a stroke affecting the left ventral posterior thalamic nuclei. Which of the following sensory deficits would this patient most likely experience?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of projection interneurons in the Spinothalamic tract?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of projection interneurons in the Spinothalamic tract?
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How many pairs of spinal nerves are associated with the spinal cord segments?
How many pairs of spinal nerves are associated with the spinal cord segments?
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Which vertebra is associated with two pairs of spinal nerves?
Which vertebra is associated with two pairs of spinal nerves?
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Which type of axons do C1 spinal nerves contain?
Which type of axons do C1 spinal nerves contain?
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From where do the C2 spinal nerves arise?
From where do the C2 spinal nerves arise?
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What is the total number of cervical vertebrae?
What is the total number of cervical vertebrae?
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How many thoracic vertebrae are present in the spinal column?
How many thoracic vertebrae are present in the spinal column?
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Which spinal nerves contain both motor and sensory axons?
Which spinal nerves contain both motor and sensory axons?
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What structure anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?
What structure anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?
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At which vertebral level does the spinal cord typically terminate?
At which vertebral level does the spinal cord typically terminate?
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Which of the following statements is true about the lumbosacral enlargement?
Which of the following statements is true about the lumbosacral enlargement?
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Where do the spinal nerve roots from L2 to S5 travel before emerging as spinal nerves?
Where do the spinal nerve roots from L2 to S5 travel before emerging as spinal nerves?
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Which of these structures fuse to form the filum terminale?
Which of these structures fuse to form the filum terminale?
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What is the function of the cauda equina?
What is the function of the cauda equina?
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Which anatomical regions are associated with the spinal cord enlargements?
Which anatomical regions are associated with the spinal cord enlargements?
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What are the spinal segments in the lumbar enlargement primarily responsible for?
What are the spinal segments in the lumbar enlargement primarily responsible for?
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What happens after the spinal cord ends at the conus medullaris?
What happens after the spinal cord ends at the conus medullaris?
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Which segment of the spine does NOT contain a notable enlargement?
Which segment of the spine does NOT contain a notable enlargement?
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What is the primary function of the spinothalamic tract?
What is the primary function of the spinothalamic tract?
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Where does the enlarged subarachnoid space, also known as the lumbar cistern, primarily occur?
Where does the enlarged subarachnoid space, also known as the lumbar cistern, primarily occur?
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Which descending tract is primarily involved in conscious movement?
Which descending tract is primarily involved in conscious movement?
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What is the anatomical relationship between the cauda equina and the filum terminale?
What is the anatomical relationship between the cauda equina and the filum terminale?
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In which region of the spinal cord does the grey matter specifically take the shape of a 'fat butterfly'?
In which region of the spinal cord does the grey matter specifically take the shape of a 'fat butterfly'?
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What purpose does the reticulospinal tract serve in the spinal cord?
What purpose does the reticulospinal tract serve in the spinal cord?
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Which of the following describes the configuration of grey and white matter through the cervical levels?
Which of the following describes the configuration of grey and white matter through the cervical levels?
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What is the primary purpose of a lumbar puncture?
What is the primary purpose of a lumbar puncture?
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Which ascending tract is responsible for transmitting sensory information about discriminative touch?
Which ascending tract is responsible for transmitting sensory information about discriminative touch?
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In which section of the spinal cord does the ratio of white to grey matter visibly increase?
In which section of the spinal cord does the ratio of white to grey matter visibly increase?
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Study Notes
Spinal Cord Organisation
- The spinal cord is a complex structure
- Each segment of the spinal cord gives rise to a pair of spinal nerves
- There are 30 pairs of spinal nerves
- The spinal cord segments are organised from C1-C8, then T1-T12, L1-L5, and S1-S5
- Cervical vertebrae: C1 to C7
- Thoracic vertebrae: T1 to T12
- Lumbar vertebrae: L1 to L5
- Sacral vertebrae: S1 to S5 (fused)
- Coccyx: 3-4 small fused vertebrae
Spinal Nerves and Vertebrae
- Exceptionally the C1 vertebra is associated with 2 pairs of spinal nerves
- C1 spinal nerves contain motor axons only
- These arise from the spinal cord above the C1 vertebra
- C2 spinal nerves contain motor and sensory axons and arise from the spinal cord below C1
- The pattern continues, with subsequent spinal nerves containing both motor and sensory axons, arising from the spinal cord below the preceding nerve
Spinal Cord Protection
- The spinal cord is protected within the vertebral column
- The subarachnoid space is between the arachnoid and pia and contains CSF and small blood vessels
Spinal Cord Rootlets, Roots and Nerves
- Note: rootlets form roots, roots form nerves
- Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) position on the dorsal root
- Ventral roots are not associated with a ganglion
Organisation of a Vertebral Section
- Dorsal ramus supplies sensory, motor, and sympathetic innervation to the back
- Ventral ramus supplies sensory, motor and sympathetic innervation to the anterolateral parts of trunk and limbs
White and Grey Matter in the Spinal Cord
- Grey matter contains neurons and glia
- Dorsal rootlets
- Dorsal horn
- Lateral horn
- Intermediate zone
- Ventral horn
- White matter contains myelinated axon fibre tracts
The Cauda Equina and Lumbar Cistern
- The spinal cord ends at the conus medullaris (vertebral level L1/L2)
- The pia surrounding the spinal cord forms the filum terminale
- L2 to S5 spinal nerve roots and the coccygeal nerve run caudally to emerge at their appropriate vertebral level forming the cauda equina.
- The dura and subarachnoid space enlarges between L1/L2 and S2/S3, forming the lumbar cistern.
Clinical Interventions Associated with the Spinal Cord
- Epidural injection is into the epidural space, outside of the dura mater
- Lumbar puncture inserts a spinal needle between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae to collect CSF.
Ratio of White to Grey Matter
- The ratio of white to grey matter in the spinal cord changes along the rostrocaudal axis
- Cervical levels have a skinny top butterfly shape
- Thoracic levels have an underweight butterfly shape
- Lumbar levels have a well-proportioned butterfly shape
- Sacral levels have a fat butterfly shape
Major Ascending and Descending Axon Tracts
- Different tracts, such as Spinothalamic, Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus, and Spinocerebellar, transmit different types of sensory information
- Pyramidal and Non-Pyramidal tracts are motor pathways
Spinothalamic Tract
- Transmits pain, temperature, itch, and simple touch sensations.
- Originates in the DRG and crosses over (decussates) in the spinal cord.
- Enters the brain through the ventral posterior thalamic nuclei.
Dorsal Column Pathway
- Carries fine touch and conscious proprioception.
- Ascends ipsilaterally in the dorsal columns.
Pyramidal Motor Pathway (Corticospinal Tracts)
- Responsible for voluntary movements.
- Upper and Lower motor neurons.
- 90% of pyramidal tracts decussate (cross over) in the medulla.
Spinocerebellar Pathway
- Carries non-conscious proprioceptive information.
- Ascends ipsilaterally to the cerebellum
- Little decussation occurs
Spinal Cord Grey Matter
- Divided into regions called laminae
- Each lamina has a specific function relating to either nociception, mechanoreception, proprioception or visceral sensation, and motor coordination involving somatic or visceral organs.
Somatic Motor Functions Associated with Spinal Nerves
- Specific spinal nerve levels control different body parts and actions (e.g., T1-hands, T2-T5 chest muscles, L1-hip muscles, S1-toe muscles)
Spinal Cord Lesions and Somatic + Autonomic Motor Function Impairment
- Spinal cord lesions can lead to specific motor (and autonomic) function loss at certain spinal levels.
- The level of the injury determines which body parts and functions are affected.
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Description
Explore the intricate structure of the spinal cord and its organisation into segments. This quiz covers the characteristics of spinal nerves and vertebrae, highlighting their protective roles and functional distinctions. Test your understanding of the spinal cord's anatomy and its significance in the nervous system.
