The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerve Reflexes

Flashcards created from lecture notes about the spinal cord and spinal nerve reflexes to aid in exam preparation.

Cervical plexus

A network of nerves that primarily supplies the neck and diaphragm.

Efferent soma

The site of cell bodies of motor neurons that send signals away from the central nervous system.

Afferent neurons

Nerve cells that carry sensory information toward the central nervous system.

Sensory soma

The location of cell bodies of sensory neurons.

Gray commissure

A region of gray matter that connects the two halves of the spinal cord.

Autonomic neurons

Nerve cells that control involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Central canal

A fluid-filled space in the center of the spinal cord that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Multipolar neurons

Neurons that have multiple dendrites and one axon, commonly found in the spinal cord.

Cervical enlargement

The area of the spinal cord that innervates the upper limbs.

Conus medullaris

The tapered end of the spinal cord, marking its termination.

Cauda equina

A collection of spinal nerves that extends beyond the end of the spinal cord.

Dermatomes

Areas of skin that are mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve root.

Phrenic nerve

The major nerve that innervates the diaphragm.

Reflex arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action.

Ipsilateral reflex

A reflex action that occurs on the same side of the body as the stimulus.

Contralateral reflex

A reflex action that occurs on the opposite side of the body from the stimulus.

Musculocutaneous nerve

A major nerve of the brachial plexus that controls muscles in the arm.

Reciprocal inhibition

A process in which the activation of one muscle group is accompanied by the inhibition of its antagonistic muscle group.

Tendon reflex

A reflex that prevents muscle overstretching and maintains muscle tone.

Stretch reflex

A reflex that causes muscle contraction in response to its being stretched.

Flexor reflex

A quick response to a painful stimulus that involves withdrawal of a limb.