Spinal Cord Overview and Anatomy
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the denticulate ligaments?

  • To attach the spinal cord to the vertebral column
  • To suspend the spinal cord within the dural sac (correct)
  • To provide structural support to the spinal cord
  • To protect the spinal cord from injury

    • How many total segments are there in the spinal cord?

  • 29
  • 24
  • 38
  • 31 (correct)

    • Which root(s) of the spinal nerve is/are responsible for bringing in sensory information?

  • Both anterior and posterior roots
  • Posterior root (correct)
  • Neither root
  • Anterior root

    • From where does an anterior root leave the spinal cord?

    <p>Anterolateral sulcus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a dermatome?

    <p>The skin region innervated by one spinal nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is the lower end of the spinal cord?

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

    What is the primary function of the cervical enlargement?

    <p>Formation of brachial plexus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what level does the spinal cord typically end in adults?

    <p>L1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the cauda equina is true?

    <p>It contains spinal nerves that descend below the spinal cord.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three membranes surrounding the spinal cord called?

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

    Which layer of the meninges terminates at the L1 level?

    <p>Pia mater</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the spinal cord is responsible for processing reflexes?

    <p>Gray matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the spinal cord after the lumbar enlargement?

    <p>It narrows and forms the conus medullaris.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of lamina IX in the gray matter of the spinal cord?

    <p>Contains alpha and gamma motor neurons related to motor pathways</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is responsible for carrying nerve fibers located in the anterior funiculus of the spinal cord?

    <p>Axons of motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the central canal within the gray matter of the spinal cord?

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

    Which of the following accurately describes the components of white matter in the spinal cord?

    <p>Composed of anterior, posterior, and lateral funiculi containing nerve fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes spinal reflexes?

    <p>Are immediate involuntary movements without conscious thought</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which laminae are primarily related to sensory pathways in the spinal cord?

    <p>Laminae I - IV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What vascular structure supplies blood to the spinal cord?

    <p>Vertebral arteries and radicular arteries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The posterior funiculus of the spinal cord contains which components primarily in the cervical and upper thoracic segments?

    <p>Dorsal-intermediate sulcus with fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of denticulate ligaments in the spinal cord?

    <p>They anchor the spinal cord within the dural sac.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many pairs of spinal nerves are present in the cervical region?

    <p>8 pairs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does the posterior root of the spinal nerve enter the spinal cord?

    <p>Posterolateral sulcus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the structure that allows spinal nerves to exit the vertebral canal?

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

    What distinguishes a dermatome from axial lines?

    <p>Dermatomes represent specific skin areas innervated by single spinal nerves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary artery that supplies blood to the lower thoracic and upper lumbar regions of the spinal cord?

    <p>Artery of Adamkiewicz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vessels drain the venous blood from the spinal cord into the internal vertebral venous plexuses?

    <p>Anterior and posterior radicular veins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the radicular arteries mainly supply in relation to the spinal cord?

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

    Which of the following accurately describes the function of the epidural venous plexus?

    <p>It collects and drains blood from spinal and external veins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the structure formed by the union of the two anterior spinal arteries in the spinal cord?

    <p>Single anterior spinal artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the length of the spinal cord in average adult males?

    <p>45 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At which vertebral level does the spinal cord typically end in adults?

    <p>L1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the spinal cord is associated with the formation of the brachial plexus?

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

    Which structure is located below the conus medullaris and consists of descending spinal nerve roots?

    <p>Cauda equina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding the termination levels of the meninges surrounding the spinal cord?

    <p>Dura mater and arachnoid mater terminate at S2 level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the lower end of the spinal cord?

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

    How many layers does the dura mater of the spinal cord have?

    <p>Two layers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the spinal cord forms after the lumbar enlargement?

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

    Which part of the spinal cord contains alpha and gamma motor neurons?

    <p>Anterior horn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the central canal within the gray matter of the spinal cord?

    <p>Contains cerebrospinal fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following laminae is related to sensory pathways?

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

    What anatomical feature is found in the posterior funiculus of the spinal cord?

    <p>Dorsal-intermediate sulcus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is NOT part of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

    <p>Lateral funiculus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two structures do not communicate with each other despite their proximity within the spinal cord?

    <p>Adjacent dermatomes innervating fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the white matter of the spinal cord?

    <p>Contains nerve fibers organized into anterior, posterior, and lateral funiculi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function is associated with spinal reflexes?

    <p>Direct connections between receptors and motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Spinal Cord Overview

    • Begins at the foramen magnum.
    • Ends at L3 (newborn), L1 (adult).
    • Males have a spinal cord approximately 45 cm long, longer than females.
    • Superiorly, continuous with the medulla oblongata.

    Spinal Cord Enlargements

    • Cervical Enlargement: The region where spinal nerves form the brachial plexus.
      • Diameter: about 38 mm.
    • Lumbar Enlargement: The region where spinal nerves form the lumbosacral plexus.
      • Diameter: about 35 mm.
      • After the lumbar enlargement, the spinal cord narrows and forms the conus medullaris (lower end of the spinal cord).

    Conus Medullaris & Cauda Equina

    • Spinal cord narrows below lumbosacral enlargement.
    • Conus medullaris is the lower end of the spinal cord.
    • Cauda equina (pony tail) extends below the conus medullaris.
    • Roots of spinal nerves surround the filum terminale.

    Meninges of the Spinal Cord

    • Three membranes surround the spinal cord, named meninges.
    • Dura mater (spinalis): has two layers.
    • Arachnoid mater (spinalis).
    • Pia mater (spinalis): continuation of the brain's meninges.
      • Terminates at the inferior limit of the spinal cord (L1).
      • Dura and arachnoid mater terminate at the S2 level.

    Filum Terminale

    • Pia mater below L1.
    • L1-S2: fil.term.internum
    • S2-coccyx: fil.term.externum

    Denticulate Ligament

    • Suspends the spinal cord within the dural sac.
    • Extensions of pia mater.
    • 20-22 in number.
    • Attaches to inside of the dural sac.

    Spinal Cord Segments

    • 31 segments.
    • 8 in cervical region.
    • 12 in thoracic region.
    • 5 in lumbar region.
    • 5 in sacral region.
    • 1 in coccygeal region.
    • 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

    Spinal Nerves

    • Posterior root: Enters spinal cord from posterolateral sulcus, carries sensory information from periphery.
    • Anterior root: Leaves spinal cord from anterolateral sulcus, carries motor information.
    • Fila radicularia (rootlets): fibres forming anterior and posterior roots.

    Spinal Nerve Roots & Rami

    • Spinal nerves branch into dorsal & ventral rami.

    Spinal Cord Location

    • Located in the vertebral canal.
    • Spinal cord exits the vertebral canal via intervertebral foramen.

    Cervical Spinal Nerves

    • C1 spinal nerve (suboccipital nerve): leaves vertebral canal between atlas & occipital bone.
    • Eight pairs of cervical nerves despite seven cervical vertebrae.

    Dermatomes

    • Dermatome: the skin region innervated by a single spinal nerve.
    • Axial line indicates where dermatomes may not originate from adjacent segments.

    Internal Structure of Spinal Cord- Gray & White Matter

    • Gray matter: Contains neurons, neuroglia, and blood vessels, butterfly shaped
      • White matter: Contains nerve fibres, neuroglia and blood vessels.

    Gray Matter of the Spinal Cord

    • Anterior horn: Contains motor neurons.
    • Posterior horn: Contains sensory neurons.
    • Lateral horn: Contains autonomic neurons (T1-L2).
    • Central canal: Contains cerebrospinal fluid.
    • Gray commissure: Connects gray columns on either side.

    Central Canal

    • Within the gray matter, extends from medulla oblongata into 4th ventricle.

    Spinal Cord Blood Supply

    • Vertebral Arteries: Branch off subclavian arteries.
    • Anterior Spinal Arteries: Two arteries unite to become single artery. Enter skull via foramen magnum.
    • Posterior Spinal Arteries: Two, situated on posterior aspect of cord.
    • Radicular Arteries: Branches form neighboring spinal arteries.
    • Venous drainage follows arteries.

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    Spinal Cord Anatomy- General Overview PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the key features of the spinal cord, including its anatomy, regions, and associated structures. Explore topics such as spinal cord enlargements, the conus medullaris, cauda equina, and the protective meninges. Test your understanding of spinal anatomy in both newborns and adults.

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