Vertebral Canal and Spinal Meninges Overview

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Questions and Answers

The spinal dura's firmest attachment occurs at the tectorial membrane and the posterior longitudinal ligament of the atlas vertebra.

False (B)

Interruption of the filum terminale proximal to S2 would have no immediate impact on the stability of the spinal cord within the dural sac, given the redundancy of the denticulate ligaments.

False (B)

The spinal arachnoid mater adheres directly to the internal periosteum of the vertebral column, facilitating direct nutrient exchange between the cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow.

False (B)

The posterior median septum of the spinal arachnoid extends as a complete partition dividing the subarachnoid space along the entire length of the spinal cord.

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The spinal pia mater terminates precisely at the conus medullaris, without contributing to the formation of the filum terminale.

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The denticulate ligament's 'teeth' attach to the spinal dura in line with the exiting nerve roots, providing maximal reinforcement against anteroposterior displacement.

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A complete transection of the denticulate ligaments bilaterally would have negligible impact on spinal cord stability, assuming the integrity of the filum terminale and nerve roots.

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The spinal subarachnoid space terminates caudally at the level of the coccyx, continuous with the filum terminale's dural investment.

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During lumbar puncture, penetration of the ligamentum flavum is invariably followed by immediate entry into the subarachnoid space.

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In epidural anesthesia, the intended mechanism of action involves direct bathing of the spinal cord with anesthetic, leading to rapid and complete motor and sensory blockade.

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The anterior boundary of the vertebral canal is defined by the combination of vertebral laminae, ligamenta flava, and the posterior longitudinal ligament.

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The spinal dura mater is wider than the bony vertebral canal, allowing for unrestricted movement of the vertebral column without compression of the neural elements.

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The epidural space, situated between the bony walls of the vertebral canal and the spinal meninges, is devoid of any vascular structures, primarily containing adipose tissue to provide cushioning.

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The internal vertebral venous plexus exclusively drains via the anterior spinal vein directly into the inferior vena cava, ensuring unidirectional flow of venous blood from the vertebral column.

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The integrity of venous valves within the internal vertebral venous plexus ensures that metastatic spread from pelvic organs cannot occur via this venous route.

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The spinal dura mater extends as a singular, continuous sheath from the foramen magnum, terminating at the filum terminale internum without any attachments to the periosteum of the vertebral canal.

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Basivertebral veins directly connect to the external vertebral venous plexus, facilitating drainage through the nutrient foramina of the vertebral bodies.

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The ligamenta flava are positioned anterior to the vertebral bodies, contributing to the anterior boundary of the vertebral canal.

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The intervertebral foramina exclusively transmit the spinal nerve roots and are hermetically sealed, preventing any communication between the epidural space and surrounding tissues

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In cases of sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure, the internal vertebral venous plexus diverts blood towards the inferior vena cava via a series of unidirectional valves.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Vertebral Canal

A tubular space formed by stacked vertebral foramina, housing the spinal cord and meninges.

Anterior Boundaries

The front limits of the vertebral canal, consisting of vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, and the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Posterior Boundaries

The back limits of the vertebral canal, made up of vertebral laminae and ligamenta flava.

Intervertebral Foramina

Spaces between vertebrae allowing exit for spinal nerves from the canal.

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Epidural Space

The space between the bony walls of the vertebral canal and the meninges, filled with fat and veins.

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Internal Vertebral Venous Plexus

A network of veins within the vertebral canal, parallel to the spinal cord, draining blood from the spinal region.

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Basivertebral Veins

Veins that drain blood from the vertebrae to the internal vertebral plexus.

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Dural Mater

The tough outermost layer of spinal meninges that encases the spinal cord.

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Extradural Fat

Fat in the epidural space that cushions and protects the spinal cord and meninges.

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Spinal Meninges

Three protective membranes covering the spinal cord, including dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

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Foramen Magnum

The opening in the skull where the spinal cord connects to the brainstem.

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Spinal Dura Mater

The tough outer layer of the spinal meninges, protecting the spinal cord.

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Arachnoid Mater

The middle layer of the spinal meninges, with a web-like structure.

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Pia Mater

The delicate innermost layer of the spinal meninges, directly covering the spinal cord.

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Denticulate Ligament

A series of ligamentous structures that stabilize the spinal cord within the dura mater.

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Filum Terminale

A fibrous extension of the pia mater that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.

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Subarachnoid Space

The space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater, containing cerebrospinal fluid.

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Cauda Equina

Bundle of spinal nerves and nerve roots below the conus medullaris.

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Lumbar Puncture

A medical procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back.

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Epidural Anesthesia

Numbing medicine injected into the epidural space, commonly used during childbirth.

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Study Notes

Vertebral Canal (Spinal Canal)

Tubular space formed by vertebral foramina
Anterior boundaries: vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, posterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior boundaries: vertebral laminae, ligamenta flava
Lateral boundaries: pedicles, intervertebral foramina
Contains spinal meninges and spinal cord with nerve roots
Continuous with sacral canal inferiorly
Spinal cord narrower than spinal dura mater, which is narrower than the canal, allowing for vertebral column movement without strain
Epidural (extradural) space separates bony walls from meninges, containing fat and veins
Internal vertebral venous plexus located within this space
Venous drainage through intervertebral veins into segmental veins
Functions as a bypass for the inferior vena cava during increased intra-abdominal pressure

Spinal Meninges

Spinal dura mater (theca): extension of posterior cranial fossa dura mater, extends to S2 vertebra
Firm attachment to tectorial membrane and axis vertebra's posterior longitudinal ligament, but free elsewhere
Separated from spinal canal by fat and internal vertebral venous plexus
Pierced by spinal nerve roots, forming lateral projections into intervertebral foramina
Stabilizes loose-fitting dura mater within the canal
Spinal arachnoid mater: supported by inner surface of dura mater, separated by a thin film of lymph
Delicate web-like processes to the pia mater over the spinal cord (posterior midline septum)
Below spinal cord, arachnoid is a delicate membrane supported by dura; above cord, it has well-developed processes
Communicates with subarachnoid space of posterior cranial fossa
Spinal pia mater: lines spinal cord's surface and anterior median sulcus
Extends over spinal nerve roots and blends with epineurium
Projects below conus medullaris as filum terminale, perforating the theca at S2 and ending at coccyx
Lateral pia mater forms denticulate ligament, connecting spinal cord to dura mater along its length by teeth
Stabilizes the spinal cord within the dura mater
Denticulate ligament, filum terminale, nerve roots stabilize spinal cord

Spinal Subarachnoid Space

Relatively large, accommodating half of CSF volume (75mL of 150mL)
Communicates with posterior cranial fossa's subarachnoid space through foramen magnum
CSF percolates along spinal nerve meningeal sheaths
Ends at S2 vertebra, containing only cauda equina and filum terminale below the conus medullaris

Lumbar Puncture & Spinal/Epidural Anaesthesia

Lumbar puncture: needle inserted between L3-L4 or L4-L5 vertebrae, passes through ligaments to the dura
Spinal cord ends at L1, thus safe from damage in procedure
Spinal anaesthesia: anaesthetic injected into subarachnoid space, mixed with CSF surrounds nerve roots
Epidural anaesthesia: solution injected into epidural space, infiltrating lumbar and sacral nerve roots' meningeal sheaths. Can be injected through sacral canal with less common sacral hiatus approach.

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This quiz covers the anatomy and functions of the vertebral canal and spinal meninges. Learn about their boundaries, contents, and physiological roles in the spinal cord system. Perfect for students studying anatomy in higher education.

Vertebral Canal and Spinal Meninges Overview

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Podcast

Questions and Answers

The spinal dura's firmest attachment occurs at the tectorial membrane and the posterior longitudinal ligament of the atlas vertebra.

Interruption of the filum terminale proximal to S2 would have no immediate impact on the stability of the spinal cord within the dural sac, given the redundancy of the denticulate ligaments.

The spinal arachnoid mater adheres directly to the internal periosteum of the vertebral column, facilitating direct nutrient exchange between the cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow.

The posterior median septum of the spinal arachnoid extends as a complete partition dividing the subarachnoid space along the entire length of the spinal cord.

The spinal pia mater terminates precisely at the conus medullaris, without contributing to the formation of the filum terminale.

The denticulate ligament's 'teeth' attach to the spinal dura in line with the exiting nerve roots, providing maximal reinforcement against anteroposterior displacement.

A complete transection of the denticulate ligaments bilaterally would have negligible impact on spinal cord stability, assuming the integrity of the filum terminale and nerve roots.

The spinal subarachnoid space terminates caudally at the level of the coccyx, continuous with the filum terminale's dural investment.

During lumbar puncture, penetration of the ligamentum flavum is invariably followed by immediate entry into the subarachnoid space.

In epidural anesthesia, the intended mechanism of action involves direct bathing of the spinal cord with anesthetic, leading to rapid and complete motor and sensory blockade.

The anterior boundary of the vertebral canal is defined by the combination of vertebral laminae, ligamenta flava, and the posterior longitudinal ligament.

The spinal dura mater is wider than the bony vertebral canal, allowing for unrestricted movement of the vertebral column without compression of the neural elements.

The epidural space, situated between the bony walls of the vertebral canal and the spinal meninges, is devoid of any vascular structures, primarily containing adipose tissue to provide cushioning.

The internal vertebral venous plexus exclusively drains via the anterior spinal vein directly into the inferior vena cava, ensuring unidirectional flow of venous blood from the vertebral column.

The integrity of venous valves within the internal vertebral venous plexus ensures that metastatic spread from pelvic organs cannot occur via this venous route.

The spinal dura mater extends as a singular, continuous sheath from the foramen magnum, terminating at the filum terminale internum without any attachments to the periosteum of the vertebral canal.

Basivertebral veins directly connect to the external vertebral venous plexus, facilitating drainage through the nutrient foramina of the vertebral bodies.

The ligamenta flava are positioned anterior to the vertebral bodies, contributing to the anterior boundary of the vertebral canal.

The intervertebral foramina exclusively transmit the spinal nerve roots and are hermetically sealed, preventing any communication between the epidural space and surrounding tissues

In cases of sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure, the internal vertebral venous plexus diverts blood towards the inferior vena cava via a series of unidirectional valves.

Flashcards

Vertebral Canal

Anterior Boundaries

Posterior Boundaries

Intervertebral Foramina

Epidural Space

Internal Vertebral Venous Plexus

Basivertebral Veins

Dural Mater

Extradural Fat

Spinal Meninges

Foramen Magnum

Spinal Dura Mater

Arachnoid Mater

Pia Mater

Denticulate Ligament

Filum Terminale

Subarachnoid Space

Cauda Equina

Lumbar Puncture

Epidural Anesthesia

Study Notes

Vertebral Canal (Spinal Canal)

Spinal Meninges

Spinal Subarachnoid Space

Lumbar Puncture & Spinal/Epidural Anaesthesia

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