Cadaver Anatomy

ligaments of the spine, general nervous system

What are the ligaments of the spine?

Anterior Longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, supraspinous ligament, alar ligament, cruciate ligament

where is the Ant. longitudinal ligament located?

extends from the sacrum to anterior tubercle C1

What does the anterior longitudinal ligament do?

resists extension

Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament located?

extends from the sacrum to C2

What does the posterior longitudinal ligament do?

limits hyperflexion

Where is the ligamentum flavum thickest?

in the lumbar region

What is the purpose of the ligamentum flavum

preserve curvature of spine, resist seperation of laminae, limit flexion, protect IVDs

What does the interspinous ligament connect?

connects the spinous process

What does the supraspinous ligament connect?

connects the tips of the spinous process

Where is the alar ligament located?

sides of the dens on C2 to lateral margins of foramen magnum

What does the alar ligament do?

prevents excessive rotation

What is the cruciate ligament made up of?

transverse ligament and sup/inf longitudinal bands

What does the cruciate ligament do?

prevent anterior/posterior translation of C1 and C2

What defining feature can you use to identify cervical vertebrae?

transverse foramen, bifed spinous process

What defining feature can you use to identify thoracic vertebrae?

costal facets and steep downward slop of spinous process

What are the regions of the spine?

cervical (C1-C7), thoracic (T1-T12), lumbar (L1-L5), sacral (S1-S5), Coccyx (4 segments)

What is the curvature associated with each region?

cervical (lordosis), thoracic (kyphosis), lumbar (lordosis), sacral (kyphosis)

What comes out of the right and left sides of the conus medullaris? Composed of what?

cauda equina, made of the nerve root endings of the spinal cord

What is the conus medullaris?

the tapered end of the spinal cord

What extends off the tip of the conus medullaris and anchors to the coccyx? Made up of what?

filum terminale, thread like extension of the pia mater

what is the direction of afferent nerves?

afferent is for sensory and moves towards spinal cordwh

what is the direction of efferent nerves?

efferent are motor and moves from spinal cord to region of the body

What is a dermatome?

area of skin supplied by fibers of a single dorsal root?

What region of the body is T4 associated with?

the nipple line

What is the somatic nervous system for?

the voluntary sensory and motor

What is the autonomic nervous system for?

involuntary sensory and motor

Where does the sympathetic nervous system originate?

the lateral horn region of spinal cord

What region does the white rami communicans originate from?

T1-L2 only

Which splanchnic nerves are sympathetic?

cardiopulmonary, abdominopelvic, sacral

Where does the parasympathetic NS originate?

Cranial or Sacral

Which splanchnic nerves are parasympathetic?

pelvic splanchnic

Primary neurons of parasympathetic are from which CN in brainstem?

CN III, CN VII, CN IX, CN X

Where does the parasympathetic synapse?

4 named ganglion in head, at/near target organ

Where does sympathetic NS originate

thoracolumbar region of SC (T1-L2)

Where does the sympathetic NS synapse

sympathetic chain ganglion, unpaired arteries off abdominal aorta

Your parasympathetic is for what?

rest and digest

your sympathetic is for what?

fight or flight

What is the effect of parasympathetic stimulation in the skin?

There is none in the skin