Spinal Cord Anatomy and Functions
90 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Where do autonomic motor neurons house their cell bodies?

  • In lateral horns of gray matter (correct)
  • In posterior horns of gray matter
  • In dorsal horns of gray matter
  • In anterior horns of gray matter

    • What do spinal nerves result from?

  • Fusion of anterior and lateral horns
  • Fusion of gray and white matter
  • Fusion of anterior and posterior roots
  • Fusion of dorsal and ventral roots (correct)

    • What are neurons in the white matter regions a part of?

  • Neuron relay (correct)
  • Cerebellar function
  • Sensory transmission
  • Motor function

    • What do ascending tracts transmit?

    <p>Sensory signals from the PNS to the CNS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the path of the first-order neuron?

    <p>Sensory receptors to posterior roots to posterior horns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do first-order neurons ascend through?

    <p>Posterior Funiculus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What will second-order neurons be excited by?

    <p>First-order neurons in the medulla oblongata</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the polarity of the second-order neuron?

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

    What is the pathway if decussation occurs?

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

    What is the cause of Poliomyelitis?

    <p>Transmitted via fecal-oral route</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neurons are destroyed in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

    <p>Ventral horn motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

    <p>Glutamate excitotoxicity and autoimmune attack</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the perineurium?

    <p>Surrounds fascicles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many pairs of cervical nerves are there?

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

    What is the function of the phrenic nerve?

    <p>Innervates the diaphragm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the sciatic nerve a combination of?

    <p>Tibial and common fibular nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of somatic reflexes?

    <p>Affect skeletal muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the axillary nerve?

    <p>Innervates the lateral shoulder</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the radial nerve?

    <p>Innervates the lateral forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the musculocutaneous nerve?

    <p>Innervates the anterior forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the spinal cord?

    <p>To facilitate neural integration and conduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord responsible for?

    <p>Servicing upper and lower limbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the cauda equina?

    <p>It is a collection of nerve roots from L2-S5</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the gray commissure?

    <p>To act as a median bridge connecting the right and left sides of gray matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do sensory neurons enter the spinal cord?

    <p>Through the posterior roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the gray matter regions?

    <p>To facilitate synaptic transmission between neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the posterior root ganglia?

    <p>A ganglion containing the cell bodies of incoming sensory neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the meninges?

    <p>To separate the brain and spinal cord from their surrounding structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the posterior horns?

    <p>They are the site of synaptic transmission between sensory neurons and interneurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can sensory neurons do after entering the spinal cord gray matter?

    <p>They can either synapse with another neuron, cross over to the other side of the spinal cord, or continue on to the brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the cervical enlargement in the spinal cord?

    <p>It is the region where nerves serving upper and lower limbs arise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the gray commissure in the spinal cord?

    <p>It connects the right and left sides of gray matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the posterior root ganglia in the spinal cord?

    <p>It contains the cell bodies of incoming sensory neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the meninges in the spinal cord?

    <p>It separates the brain from the cranium and spinal cord from the vertebral canal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the cauda equina in the spinal cord?

    <p>It is a collection of nerve roots from L2-S5</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>It is the site of synapse between incoming sensory neurons and motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the posterior horns in the spinal cord?

    <p>Sensory neurons enter the spinal cord gray matter through this region</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the four primary functions of the spinal cord?

    <p>Conduction, neural integration, locomotion, and reflexes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the medullary cone in the spinal cord?

    <p>It is the end of the spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the three layers of the meninges in the spinal cord?

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

    What is the main function of the neurons in the posterior horns of the spinal cord?

    <p>to integrate sensory information and transmit signals to the autonomic motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the decussation of second-order neurons in the medulla oblongata?

    <p>it allows for the transmission of signals to the contralateral side of the brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the white matter regions of the spinal cord?

    <p>to contain bundles of neurons traveling up and down the spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the third-order neurons in the thalamus?

    <p>to integrate sensory information and transmit signals to the cerebral cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the pathway of the sensory signals if decussation does not occur?

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

    What is the function of the posterior roots of the spinal cord?

    <p>to transmit signals from the sensory receptors to the spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of neurons are the first-order neurons in the spinal cord?

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

    What is the significance of the anterior roots of the spinal cord?

    <p>they merge with the posterior roots to form the spinal nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the ascending tracts in the spinal cord?

    <p>to transmit signals from the PNS to higher centers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the gray matter regions of the spinal cord?

    <p>to process and integrate sensory information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the epineurium?

    <p>To enclose all fascicles to form a nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neurons are destroyed in Poliomyelitis?

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

    What is the primary function of the endoneurium?

    <p>To surround the axon and provide support</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the dermatomes?

    <p>They are the area of the skin innervated by the cutaneous branches of a single spinal nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the nerve plexus?

    <p>To form a complex network of nerves that serve the limbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the ulnar nerve?

    <p>To innervate the muscles of the medial forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the medial nerve?

    <p>To innervate the muscles of the anterior forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the sciatic nerve?

    <p>To transmit signals from the spinal cord to the muscles of the lower limb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the reflexes?

    <p>They are unlearned responses to stimuli that affect skeletal muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the posterior ramus?

    <p>To innervate muscles of that region and joints of skin and back</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord?

    <p>To facilitate nerve impulses to and from the upper and lower limbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the gray commissure?

    <p>To connect the right and left sides of gray matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the meninges?

    <p>To separate the brain and spinal cord from surrounding bones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do sensory neurons enter the spinal cord?

    <p>Through the posterior roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the cauda equina?

    <p>It is a collection of nerve roots from L1-S5</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the posterior root ganglia?

    <p>To contain the cell bodies of incoming sensory neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the gray matter regions?

    <p>To facilitate synapse between incoming sensory neurons, interneurons, and outgoing motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three different gray matter regions?

    <p>Posterior, anterior, and lateral horns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the medullary cone?

    <p>It represents the end of the spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the spinal cord?

    <p>To enable neural integration, conduction, reflexes, and locomotion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neurons are affected in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

    <p>Ventral horn motor neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the perineurium?

    <p>To provide structural support to the nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the phrenic nerves?

    <p>To innervate the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the sciatic nerve?

    <p>The longest and thickest nerve in the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the axillary nerve?

    <p>To innervate the muscles of the shoulder and arm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the musculocutaneous nerve?

    <p>To innervate the muscles of the forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the radial nerve?

    <p>To innervate the muscles of the lateral forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the ulnar nerve?

    <p>To innervate the muscles of the medial forearm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the somatic reflexes?

    <p>To effect skeletal muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the autonomic reflexes?

    <p>To regulate cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the neurons in the posterior roots of the spinal cord?

    <p>Transmitting signals from the PNS to the CNS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the decussation of second-order neurons in the medulla oblongata?

    <p>It facilitates the transmission of sensory signals to the contralateral side of the brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the white matter regions of the spinal cord?

    <p>Facilitating the transmission of signals between different regions of the CNS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of neurons are the second-order neurons in the medulla oblongata?

    <p>Multipolar neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the anterior roots of the spinal cord?

    <p>They control voluntary motor movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the pathway of the sensory signals if decussation does not occur?

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

    What is the primary function of the third-order neurons in the thalamus?

    <p>Transmitting sensory information to the cerebral cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the posterior horn cells in the spinal cord?

    <p>They integrate sensory information from the periphery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the ascending tracts in the spinal cord?

    <p>Transmitting sensory information from the PNS to the CNS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the gray matter regions in the spinal cord?

    <p>They integrate sensory information from the periphery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Spinal Cord Functions

    • Conduction, neural integration, locomotion, and reflexes are the four primary functions of the spinal cord.

    Spinal Cord Regions

    • Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions are named for the location of emerging spinal nerves.
    • 31 pairs of spinal nerves arise from these regions.

    Cervical Enlargement

    • Thickened regions of the spinal cord where nerves serving upper and lower limbs arise.

    Medullary Cone or Conus Medullaris

    • Represents the end of the spinal cord.

    Cauda Equina

    • A collection of nerve roots from L2-S5 that differs from other regions of the spinal cord.

    Gray Commissure

    • A median bridge connecting the right and left sides of gray matter.

    Gray Matter Regions

    • The site of synapse between incoming sensory neurons, interneurons, and outgoing motor neurons.
    • Consists of posterior, anterior, and lateral horns.

    Posterior Root Ganglia

    • Contains the cell bodies of incoming sensory neurons.

    Meninges

    • Connective tissue membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
    • Separates the brain from the cranium and the spinal cord from the vertebral canal.
    • Consists of three layers: dura, arachnoid, and pia mater.

    Sensory Neurons

    • Enter the spinal cord gray matter through posterior roots.
    • Can synapse with another neuron, cross over to the other side of the spinal cord, or exit the gray matter.

    Autonomic Motor Neurons

    • House their cell bodies in lateral horns of gray matter.
    • Exit the spinal cord through anterior roots, which merge with posterior roots to form spinal nerves.

    Spinal Nerves

    • Result from the fusion of dorsal and ventral roots.
    • Can be divided into posterior ramus and anterior ramus.
    • Posterior ramus innervates muscles of that region and joints of skin and back.
    • Anterior ramus innervates anterior and lateral skin and muscles of the trunk and the limbs.

    Poliomyelitis

    • Caused by transmission via fecal-oral route.
    • Destroys anterior horn motor neurons.
    • Symptoms: paralysis develops and muscles atrophy.
    • Medical treatments or preventions: vaccines.

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    • Caused by glutamate excitotoxicity or autoimmune attack.
    • Destroys ventral horn motor neurons.
    • Symptoms: loss of ability to speak, swallow, and breathe.
    • Medical treatments or preventions: riluzole, which inhibits glutamate release and prolongs life.

    Nerve Structure

    • Parallel bundles of peripheral axons enclosed by connective tissue.
    • Endoneurium: a sheet of loose connective tissue and the basal lamina surrounding the axon.
    • Fascicles: bundles of axons wrapped in perineurium.
    • Perineurium: a thicker connective tissue layer surrounding fascicles.
    • Epineurium: a fibrous sheet enclosing all fascicles to form a nerve.

    Plexuses

    • Nerve plexus: interlacing networks that primarily serve the limbs.
    • Example: brachial plexus.

    Dermatomes

    • The area of the skin innervated by the cutaneous branches of a single spinal nerve.

    Diagnostic Terms

    • Sciatica: characterized by stabbing pain over the course of the sciatic nerve.
    • Somatosensory reflexes: unlearned reflexes that affect skeletal muscles.
    • Autonomic reflexes: unlearned reflexes of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.

    Spinal Cord Functions

    • Conduction, neural integration, locomotion, and reflexes are the four primary functions of the spinal cord.

    Spinal Cord Regions

    • Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions are named for the location of emerging spinal nerves.
    • 31 pairs of spinal nerves arise from these regions.

    Cervical Enlargement

    • Thickened regions of the spinal cord where nerves serving upper and lower limbs arise.

    Medullary Cone or Conus Medullaris

    • Represents the end of the spinal cord.

    Cauda Equina

    • A collection of nerve roots from L2-S5 that differs from other regions of the spinal cord.

    Gray Commissure

    • A median bridge connecting the right and left sides of gray matter.

    Gray Matter Regions

    • The site of synapse between incoming sensory neurons, interneurons, and outgoing motor neurons.
    • Consists of posterior, anterior, and lateral horns.

    Posterior Root Ganglia

    • Contains the cell bodies of incoming sensory neurons.

    Meninges

    • Connective tissue membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
    • Separates the brain from the cranium and the spinal cord from the vertebral canal.
    • Consists of three layers: dura, arachnoid, and pia mater.

    Sensory Neurons

    • Enter the spinal cord gray matter through posterior roots.
    • Can synapse with another neuron, cross over to the other side of the spinal cord, or exit the gray matter.

    Autonomic Motor Neurons

    • House their cell bodies in lateral horns of gray matter.
    • Exit the spinal cord through anterior roots, which merge with posterior roots to form spinal nerves.

    Spinal Nerves

    • Result from the fusion of dorsal and ventral roots.
    • Can be divided into posterior ramus and anterior ramus.
    • Posterior ramus innervates muscles of that region and joints of skin and back.
    • Anterior ramus innervates anterior and lateral skin and muscles of the trunk and the limbs.

    Poliomyelitis

    • Caused by transmission via fecal-oral route.
    • Destroys anterior horn motor neurons.
    • Symptoms: paralysis develops and muscles atrophy.
    • Medical treatments or preventions: vaccines.

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    • Caused by glutamate excitotoxicity or autoimmune attack.
    • Destroys ventral horn motor neurons.
    • Symptoms: loss of ability to speak, swallow, and breathe.
    • Medical treatments or preventions: riluzole, which inhibits glutamate release and prolongs life.

    Nerve Structure

    • Parallel bundles of peripheral axons enclosed by connective tissue.
    • Endoneurium: a sheet of loose connective tissue and the basal lamina surrounding the axon.
    • Fascicles: bundles of axons wrapped in perineurium.
    • Perineurium: a thicker connective tissue layer surrounding fascicles.
    • Epineurium: a fibrous sheet enclosing all fascicles to form a nerve.

    Plexuses

    • Nerve plexus: interlacing networks that primarily serve the limbs.
    • Example: brachial plexus.

    Dermatomes

    • The area of the skin innervated by the cutaneous branches of a single spinal nerve.

    Diagnostic Terms

    • Sciatica: characterized by stabbing pain over the course of the sciatic nerve.
    • Somatosensory reflexes: unlearned reflexes that affect skeletal muscles.
    • Autonomic reflexes: unlearned reflexes of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.

    Spinal Cord Functions

    • Conduction, neural integration, locomotion, and reflexes are the four primary functions of the spinal cord.

    Spinal Cord Regions

    • Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions are named for the location of emerging spinal nerves.
    • 31 pairs of spinal nerves arise from these regions.

    Cervical Enlargement

    • Thickened regions of the spinal cord where nerves serving upper and lower limbs arise.

    Medullary Cone or Conus Medullaris

    • Represents the end of the spinal cord.

    Cauda Equina

    • A collection of nerve roots from L2-S5 that differs from other regions of the spinal cord.

    Gray Commissure

    • A median bridge connecting the right and left sides of gray matter.

    Gray Matter Regions

    • The site of synapse between incoming sensory neurons, interneurons, and outgoing motor neurons.
    • Consists of posterior, anterior, and lateral horns.

    Posterior Root Ganglia

    • Contains the cell bodies of incoming sensory neurons.

    Meninges

    • Connective tissue membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
    • Separates the brain from the cranium and the spinal cord from the vertebral canal.
    • Consists of three layers: dura, arachnoid, and pia mater.

    Sensory Neurons

    • Enter the spinal cord gray matter through posterior roots.
    • Can synapse with another neuron, cross over to the other side of the spinal cord, or exit the gray matter.

    Autonomic Motor Neurons

    • House their cell bodies in lateral horns of gray matter.
    • Exit the spinal cord through anterior roots, which merge with posterior roots to form spinal nerves.

    Spinal Nerves

    • Result from the fusion of dorsal and ventral roots.
    • Can be divided into posterior ramus and anterior ramus.
    • Posterior ramus innervates muscles of that region and joints of skin and back.
    • Anterior ramus innervates anterior and lateral skin and muscles of the trunk and the limbs.

    Poliomyelitis

    • Caused by transmission via fecal-oral route.
    • Destroys anterior horn motor neurons.
    • Symptoms: paralysis develops and muscles atrophy.
    • Medical treatments or preventions: vaccines.

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    • Caused by glutamate excitotoxicity or autoimmune attack.
    • Destroys ventral horn motor neurons.
    • Symptoms: loss of ability to speak, swallow, and breathe.
    • Medical treatments or preventions: riluzole, which inhibits glutamate release and prolongs life.

    Nerve Structure

    • Parallel bundles of peripheral axons enclosed by connective tissue.
    • Endoneurium: a sheet of loose connective tissue and the basal lamina surrounding the axon.
    • Fascicles: bundles of axons wrapped in perineurium.
    • Perineurium: a thicker connective tissue layer surrounding fascicles.
    • Epineurium: a fibrous sheet enclosing all fascicles to form a nerve.

    Plexuses

    • Nerve plexus: interlacing networks that primarily serve the limbs.
    • Example: brachial plexus.

    Dermatomes

    • The area of the skin innervated by the cutaneous branches of a single spinal nerve.

    Diagnostic Terms

    • Sciatica: characterized by stabbing pain over the course of the sciatic nerve.
    • Somatosensory reflexes: unlearned reflexes that affect skeletal muscles.
    • Autonomic reflexes: unlearned reflexes of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    This quiz covers the primary functions of the spinal cord, including conduction, neural integration, locomotion, and reflexes. It also explores the different regions of the spinal cord and their corresponding spinal nerves.

    More Like This

    Spinal Cord Anatomy, Functions, and Conditions Quiz
    12 questions

    Spinal Cord Anatomy, Functions, and Conditions Quiz

    MultiPurposeSousaphone avatar
    MultiPurposeSousaphone
    Human Brain and Spinal Cord
    26 questions

    Human Brain and Spinal Cord

    AdulatoryDouglasFir avatar
    AdulatoryDouglasFir
    Spinal Cord Anatomy Quiz
    21 questions

    Spinal Cord Anatomy Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

    PunctualTuba avatar
    PunctualTuba
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser