Podcast
Questions and Answers
List four ways the spinal cord is protected.
List four ways the spinal cord is protected.
bone, meninges, epidural space, cerebrospinal fluid
The meninges are connective tissue coverings that run continuously around both the spinal cord and the brain.
The meninges are connective tissue coverings that run continuously around both the spinal cord and the brain.
True (A)
Which of the following is another name for the outer spinal meninx?
Which of the following is another name for the outer spinal meninx?
- Dura Mater (correct)
- Pia Mater
- Epidural Space
- Arachnoid
Within the dura mater, what are the channels called that collect venous blood to return to the cardiovascular system?
Within the dura mater, what are the channels called that collect venous blood to return to the cardiovascular system?
What is the name of the space between the dura mater and the vertebrae?
What is the name of the space between the dura mater and the vertebrae?
What is the middle spinal meninx also known as?
What is the middle spinal meninx also known as?
What fluid does the subarachnoid space contain?
What fluid does the subarachnoid space contain?
What procedure involves the withdrawal of CSF in the subarachnoid space at approximately L4?
What procedure involves the withdrawal of CSF in the subarachnoid space at approximately L4?
What adheres to the surface of the spinal cord and brain?
What adheres to the surface of the spinal cord and brain?
Denticulate ligaments hold the spinal cord in the middle of its what?
Denticulate ligaments hold the spinal cord in the middle of its what?
Where is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found?
Where is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found?
What is the typical length of the spinal cord?
What is the typical length of the spinal cord?
The spinal cord begins as a continuation of the ________, passes through the Foramen Magnum, and terminates at the conus medullaris at L2.
The spinal cord begins as a continuation of the ________, passes through the Foramen Magnum, and terminates at the conus medullaris at L2.
The cervical enlargement of the spinal cord extends from:
The cervical enlargement of the spinal cord extends from:
What region does the lumbar enlargement supply nerves to?
What region does the lumbar enlargement supply nerves to?
Where is the conus medullaris located in relation to the lumbar enlargement?
Where is the conus medullaris located in relation to the lumbar enlargement?
At what level does the spinal cord end?
At what level does the spinal cord end?
What is another name for the cauda equina?
What is another name for the cauda equina?
What is the non-nervous fibrous tissue cord extending from the sacrum to the coccyx, anchoring the spinal cord?
What is the non-nervous fibrous tissue cord extending from the sacrum to the coccyx, anchoring the spinal cord?
What is the spinal cord divided into?
What is the spinal cord divided into?
What are the names of the two grooves that divide the spinal cord into right and left sides?
What are the names of the two grooves that divide the spinal cord into right and left sides?
Gray matter lacks myelin, giving it a gray color.
Gray matter lacks myelin, giving it a gray color.
What letter does gray matter form within the white matter?
What letter does gray matter form within the white matter?
Where is the central canal located?
Where is the central canal located?
Collections of nerve cell bodies in the gray matter of the CNS are known as:
Collections of nerve cell bodies in the gray matter of the CNS are known as:
White matter gets its name because it contains myelin, a phospholipid with a whitish color.
White matter gets its name because it contains myelin, a phospholipid with a whitish color.
Into what regions is white matter organized?
Into what regions is white matter organized?
Ascending tracts carry what type of impulses?
Ascending tracts carry what type of impulses?
What does the name of a tract usually indicate?
What does the name of a tract usually indicate?
In the withdrawal reflex, what happens before you are aware of the pain?
In the withdrawal reflex, what happens before you are aware of the pain?
How many spinal segments are there?
How many spinal segments are there?
How many spinal nerves does the cervical region contain?
How many spinal nerves does the cervical region contain?
How many spinal nerves does the thoracic region contain?
How many spinal nerves does the thoracic region contain?
How many spinal nerves does the lumbar region contain?
How many spinal nerves does the lumbar region contain?
How many spinal nerves does the coccyx contain?
How many spinal nerves does the coccyx contain?
Where does the first pair of spinal nerves emerge?
Where does the first pair of spinal nerves emerge?
What structure do nerves below L2 continue as before emerging from the spine?
What structure do nerves below L2 continue as before emerging from the spine?
What is a nerve?
What is a nerve?
What is a fasciculus?
What is a fasciculus?
What connective tissue layer covers each individual fiber in the spinal nerve?
What connective tissue layer covers each individual fiber in the spinal nerve?
What connective tissue layer covers each fasciculus?
What connective tissue layer covers each fasciculus?
What is the outer covering around the entire nerve, continuous with the meninges?
What is the outer covering around the entire nerve, continuous with the meninges?
What are the two roots that connect each spinal nerve to the spinal cord?
What are the two roots that connect each spinal nerve to the spinal cord?
Which ramus possesses sensory fibers and can be recognized by the dorsal root ganglia?
Which ramus possesses sensory fibers and can be recognized by the dorsal root ganglia?
Which ramus possesses motor fibers?
Which ramus possesses motor fibers?
Having both sensory and motor fibers makes each spinal nerve a mixed nerve.
Having both sensory and motor fibers makes each spinal nerve a mixed nerve.
What is the term for the networks into which most of the spinal nerves will divide?
What is the term for the networks into which most of the spinal nerves will divide?
Flashcards
Spinal Cord Protection
Spinal Cord Protection
The spinal cord is protected by bone, meninges, denticulate ligaments, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Meninges
Meninges
Connective tissue coverings surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
Dura Mater
Dura Mater
The outermost layer of the meninges, tough and fibrous.
Epidural Space
Epidural Space
Signup and view all the flashcards
Arachnoid
Arachnoid
Signup and view all the flashcards
Subarachnoid Space
Subarachnoid Space
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pia Mater
Pia Mater
Signup and view all the flashcards
Denticulate Ligaments
Denticulate Ligaments
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Signup and view all the flashcards
Conus Medullaris
Conus Medullaris
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cauda Equina
Cauda Equina
Signup and view all the flashcards
Spinal Cord Length
Spinal Cord Length
Signup and view all the flashcards
Gray Matter
Gray Matter
Signup and view all the flashcards
Dorsal Horn
Dorsal Horn
Signup and view all the flashcards
Ventral Horn
Ventral Horn
Signup and view all the flashcards
White Matter
White Matter
Signup and view all the flashcards
Ascending Tracts
Ascending Tracts
Signup and view all the flashcards
Descending Tracts
Descending Tracts
Signup and view all the flashcards
Reflex Arc
Reflex Arc
Signup and view all the flashcards
Spinal Nerve Segments
Spinal Nerve Segments
Signup and view all the flashcards
Epineurium
Epineurium
Signup and view all the flashcards
Plexus
Plexus
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cervical Plexus
Cervical Plexus
Signup and view all the flashcards
Brachial Plexus
Brachial Plexus
Signup and view all the flashcards
Lumbar Plexus
Lumbar Plexus
Signup and view all the flashcards
Sacral Plexus
Sacral Plexus
Signup and view all the flashcards
Real Truckers Drink Cold Beer?
Real Truckers Drink Cold Beer?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Spinal Cord Protection System
- The spinal cord is protected by four systems: bone, meninges, epidural space, and subdural space.
- Vertebrae form a protective bony wall around the spinal cord.
- Meninges are connective tissue coverings surrounding the spinal cord and brain. There are three layers, from outer to inner: dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater.
- The dura mater is a tough, inelastic, fibrous membrane that merges with the periosteum of the skull and vertebral canal. It contains dural sinuses that collect venous blood.
- The epidural space is between the dura mater and the vertebrae and contains fat, connective tissue, and blood vessels. This space is not found in the brain. It's used for anesthetic injections like saddleblocks.
- The subdural space is between the dura mater and arachnoid mater.
Spinal Meninges
- Arachnoid (middle layer) - appears spiderweb-like due to loose connective tissue strands. It holds circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- The subarachnoid space is between the arachnoid and pia mater and contains CSF. Lumbar puncture is a procedure to withdraw CSF in this space.
- Pia mater (inner layer) - adheres to the surface of the spinal cord and brain. Blood vessels pass through it to supply the nervous tissue.
Denticulate Ligaments
- Membranous extensions of the pia mater that hold the spinal cord suspended within its dural sheath.
- They prevent shock and displacement of the spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
- Found in the subarachnoid space and central canal of the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord General Features
- Length: 17-18 inches
- Begins as an extension of the medulla oblongata, passing through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone, and terminates at the conus medullaris (L2).
- Two enlargements are important: cervical (C4-T1) for supplying upper extremities, and lumbar (T9-T12) for supplying lower extremities.
- Conus medullaris: the tapered conical portion of the spinal cord below the lumbar enlargement.
Spinal Cord Cross-Section
- The spinal cord is divided into right and left sides by grooves: anterior (ventral) median fissure and posterior (dorsal) median sulcus.
- Composed of gray and white matter.
- Gray matter lacks myelin, giving it a gray color. It forms an H-shaped area within the white matter. The H has dorsal horns, lateral horns, and ventral horns.
- Gray commissure is the crossbar of the H. Contains the central canal filled with CSF.
- White matter contains myelinated axons, forming sensory and motor tracts. White matter is organized into dorsal, lateral, and ventral columns.
Spinal Tracts
- Ascending tracts carry sensory impulses from the body to the brain.
- Descending tracts conduct motor impulses from the brain to muscles and glands.
Spinal Nerves
- Each spinal nerve has a dorsal root and a ventral root.
- Dorsal roots contain sensory fibers (sensory neurons).
- Dorsal root ganglia: groups of sensory neuron cell bodies.
- Ventral roots contain motor fibers (motor neurons).
- Spinal nerves are mixed nerves (contain sensory and motor fibers) that merge immediately after exiting the spinal column to form plexuses. These plexuses further distribute branches to specific areas.
Major Spinal Nerves and Plexuses
- Cervical plexus (C1-C4) supplies skin and muscles of the head, neck, and upper shoulders, and diaphragm.
- Brachial plexus (C5-T1) supplies upper extremities, neck, and shoulder regions.
- Lumbar plexus (L1-L4) supplies lower extremities, external genitals, and abdominal wall.
- Sacral plexus (L4-S4) supplies lower extremities and buttocks.
- Cervical region is the only area that doesn't form a plexus.
Spinal Cord Function
- Impulse conduction is through ascending and descending tracts.
- Reflex integration is the functional unit of the nervous system. Reflexes are quick responses to stimuli that don't require conscious thought.
- Spinal nerves are grouped or organized into segments (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal) based on the region of the spinal cord from which they emerge.
- The location of nerves correlates with the segment to which they belong.
Rami
- Recall the use of the "REAL Truckers Drink Cold Beer" mneumonic to remember the components of spinal rami (trunk/dorsal rami (muscles of trunk/dorsal part of trunk vs. ventral rami (muscles of extremities/lateral and ventral part of trunk)).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the protective systems of the spinal cord: bone, meninges, epidural space, and subdural space, with focus on the meningeal layers (dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater). Learn about the spaces surrounding the meninges and their functions.
