HMI204 - Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves and Peripheral nerves

How many segments of the spinal cords are there?

31

• 8 segments in the cervical

• 12 thoracic

• 5 lumbar

• 5 sacral

• 1 coccygeal

How are each individual segments of the spinal cord defined by?

• Ventral and dorsal rootlets from spinal cord area that gives off a spinal nerve.

• i.e. This diagram has two spinal segments

At what point does the medulla oblongata become the spinal cord?

Foramen magnum

Spinal cord extends all the way down from C1 to its termination point. What is this termination point callED?

Conus medullaris

At what level does the spinal cord terminate?

L1-L2

What vertebral structures surrounds the spinal cord?

vertebral body and a posterior vertebral arch (lamine and spinous process)

What boundaries make up the intervertebral foramen?

Vertebral bodies and IVD - anterior

Pedicles - superior/inferior

Zygapophyseal joint - posterior

What is the epidural space?

epidural space - space between vertebral body and dura mater. it contains fat and vlood vessels to give an extra layer of prottection the spinal cord.

what layers of protection are there to keep spinal cord protected

• bone

• epidural space

• Dura mater

• Arachnoid mater

• Pia mater

What is Dura mater?

dense connective tissue on the outermost layer of the meninges covering the spinal cord and is continuous with the spinal nerve.

What is arachnoid mater?

• Second layer of the meninges

• Made up of Arachnoid trabeculae that gives it a spider-web like appearance. This trabeculae also bridges the arachnoid mater to the pia mater.

• Pressed up against the dura mater.

What is the pia mater?

Delicate innermost layer of the meninges that tightly hugs the surface of the brain and spinal cord. It carries blood vessels to nourish neural tissue

What is inside the subarachnoid space?

• CSF

• Vessels

Cauda euina is the structure that continues at the end of the spinal cord. Explain how spinal nerves are still able to exit at their respective site?

The series of anterior/ventral and posterior/dorsal roots descend to their respective IV foramen and then join to create the spinal nerve just before exiting.

Dimples of venus are at the level of…?

PSIS/S2

Arachnoid mater, dura mater and CSF ends at…

S2

Pia mater continues down until the coccyx surrounding what structure. Describe the purpose of this structure.

It continues coating the filum terminale which is a slender, fibrous thread of connective tissue that anchors the lower end of the spinal cord to the coccyx

After the dura mater and arachnoid mater ends but the pia mater continues down, it creates this big space filled with CSF. What is this space called?

Lumbar cistern.

Neonates’ spinal cords ends around…

L4

Lumbar puncture is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect CSF. Why is it important for this procedure to happen at L3 and below?

To reduce the risk of the needle hitting the spinal cord.

In the spinal cord, white matter is organised… while gray matter is organised….

peripherally, centrally

What is the functional difference of grey and white matter in the spinal cord?

• gray matter, consisting of mostly neurons, acts as the processing and integration center in the spinal cord

• White matter, consisting of mostly myelinated axons, acts as the transmission site to the brain.

In grey matter, anterior horns houses which neurons?

Motor neurons (efferent nuclei)

In grey matter, posterior horns houses which neurons?

Sensory neurons (afferent nuclei).

In grey matter, intermediate grey is associated with which neurons?

Autonomic nervous system neurons

Anterolateral sulcus of the spinal cord is where… attaches.

anterior/ventral rootlets

Posterolateral sulcus of the spinal cord is where… attaches.

posterior/dorsal rootlets attach

what boundaries make up the anterior, lateral and posterior columns of the spinal cord?

anterior - anterior median fissure to anterolateral sulcus

lateral - anterolateral sulcus to posterolateral sulcus

posterior - posterolateral sulcus to posterior median fissure

If the posterior column of the white matter in the spinal cord is damaged, what would happen?

Posterior column → we are thinking touch and pressure information

White matter → signal tranmission to the brain

• Touch and pressure information is unable to reach the brain as the pathway is damaged.

If the lateral column of the white matter in the spinal cord is damaged, what would happen?

lateral column → we are thinking temperature and pain

white matter → signal tranmission to the brain

• Temperature and pain information is unable to reach the brain as the pathway is damaged.

What does grey and white commissures do?

Gray commissures:

• links the left and right horns of the spinal cord. contains unmyelinated interneurons that coordinate local reflex activities and pass information between the two sides.

White commissrues:

• crossing between the two sides and helps transmits sensory signals and motor instructions from the brain to the opposite sides of the body.

why is the cervical segment of the spinal cords thicker?

thicker spinal cord → bigger anterior horns → more volume of motor neurons → innervates a large no. of muscles in the upper limbs

why is the cervical segment of the spinal cords thinner? But there is a special white matter feature that is bigger in this region, what is it and why is it?

thinner spinal cord → smaller anterior horns → less volume of motor neurons → innervates a small no. of thoracic muscles

Intermediate gray bigger → more autonomic nerve cell bodies → sympathetic nervous system in the thoracic region

why is the lumbar segment of the spinal cords thicker?

thicker spinal cord → bigger anterior horns → more volume of motor neurons → innervates a large no. of muscles in the lower limbs

How does the volume of white matter change from superior (cervical) to inferior (sacral).

Increase in white matter as we travel superiorly because more information has to travel through the superior segments compared to the inferior segments of the spinal cord.

What are the 2 types of reflexes and how are they different?

• Somatic - affects voluntary skeletal muscles

  • deep tendon reflex

• Visceral/autonomic - Affects heart, glands, and smooth muscle

Describe the process of a somatic reflex

1. sensation/stimuli/receptor

2. sensation is transmitted to the integration centre (gray matter) via the posterior root

3. sensory info gets integrated and turned into a motor command

4. motor command gets transmitted via the anterior root

5. Effectors like skeletal muscles take action of the command

What are monosynaptic reflexes? Can you give an example?

Fast, automatic muscle action that has only one connection point, called a synapse, between a sensory nerve and a motor nerve.

Deep tendon reflex such as the knee jerk is an example.

the brain can adjust this sensitivity

What are polysynaptic reflexes? Can you give an example?

reflex pathways that involve one or more interneurons and facilitate coordinated muscle activity in response to sensory.

i.e Withdrawl reflex

the brain can adjust this sensitivity

What are the two ascending tracts?

• Dornal column medial lemniscus - light, touch, proprioception and vibration

  • travels through posterior column

• Spinothalamic - pain and temperature

  • sensory info crosses through the white commissure and to the front part of the lateral column

What is the descending tract?

• Coticospinal - motor commands

  • Lateral column

If the lateral column was damaged, what clinical symptoms wld patients face?

• loss of pain and temperature sensation

• Loss of voluntary control of the limbs

If the posterior column was damaged, what clinical symptoms wld patients face?

• loss of light, touch and vibration

There are two main arteries that supply the spinal cord, anterior and posterior spinal arteries.

Explaing what areas of the spinal cord does the anterior one supply, where it branches off from and where it travels through.

• Supplies the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord (anterior and lateral column and anterior horns)

• Branches off the vertebral artery

• travels thrugh the anterior median fissure.

There are two main arteries that supply the spinal cord, anterior and posterior spinal arteries.

Explaing what areas of the spinal cord does the posterior one supply, where it branches off from and where it travels through.

• Supplies the posterior columns and posterior horn

• Branches off the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries (PICA)

• travels through the posterolateral sulcus

The two spinal arteries are very tiny and need to supply the huge spinal cord, how does the body ensure enough blood supply?

the arteries require a boost from segmental spinal arteries from different regions:

• cervical - vertebral arteries

• thoracic - posterior intercostal

• lumbar - lumbar arteries

What is a significantly large segmental spinal artery in the lumbar region?

Artery of Adamkiewicz

Venous drainage in the spinal cord

• 6 veins drain the spinal cord:

  • One anterior & posterior

  • Two for each posterolateral and anterolateral sulcus

• these then drain intto → internal and external venous plexuses → aygous vein

What is a dermatome?

• area of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve

Which dermatome is associated with the thumb/upper side of the upper limb?

C6.

Which dermatome is associated with the middle finger?

C7.

Which dermatome is associated with the lower finger region/little finger side?

A: C8

Which dermatomes are found toward the axilla?

T1–T2.

Which lower limb dermatomes are more anterior?

The higher lumbar dermatomes, such as L2 and L3.

Which dermatome corresponds to the medial lower leg?

L4

Which dermatomes are represented more posteriorly and in the sole of the foot?

Sacral dermatomes.

The umbilicus is approximately at what dermatome level?

T10.

The nipple line is approximately at what dermatome level?

T4–T5.

Sensory loss below the umbilicus suggests injury around which spinal cord segment?

T10.

What is a myotome?

A predictable muscle movement contribution associated with a spinal cord/spinal nerve level.

What kind of paralysis is seen during spinal shock?

Flaccid paralysis below the level of the lesion.

What do lesions at C3 and above threaten?

They can be fatal because of respiratory compromise.

Results in paraplagia due to a loss of innervation to the upper and lower limbs and below the lesion.

Requires respiratory assistance due to the inability of motor signal to reach the phrenic nerve of the diaphragm.

What spinal levels contribute to the phrenic nerve?

C3, C4, and C5.

What is typically seen with lower cervical cord lesions? (i.e. C7)

Quadriplegia, but respiration may be preserved.

What is usually preserved in thoracic cord lesions?

Ventilation and upper limb function as this usually innervated by the cervical region.

What happens in lumbar cord lesions?

Lower limb deficits plus possible pelvic organ dysfunction like bladder and bowel function as well as sexual function.

Cauda equina syndrome is when the cauda equina is squeezed or compressed and prevents signals from traveling to your legs, feet, bladder, and bowel.

What sensory loss is clasically associated with cauda equina syndrome?

Saddle sensory loss

What is radiculopathy?

Signs and symptoms caused by a lesion of a spinal nerve, often from foraminal narrowing, disc pathology, or osteophytes.

In order from proximal to distal, what is the basic spinal nerve pathway?

Rootlets → roots → spinal nerve (mixed nerve) → rami.

What structure on the dorsal/posterior root contains lots of cell bodies? What type of cells is it?

The dorsal root ganglion which has lots of sensory cell bodies.

What kind of information travels in the dorsal/posterior and ventral/anterior root?

Dorsal - Sensory information.

Ventral - Motor information.

Why is the spinal nerve called a mixed nerve?

Because it carries both sensory and motor fibers.

Do both anterior and posterior rami carry motor and sensory fibers? And where do the supply?

Yes.

Posterior - structures at the back

Anterior supplies - structures at the front

Where does somatic sensory information travel compared with motor information in the spinal nerve pathway?

Sensory information travels through the rami → spinal nerve → dorsal root ganglion/dorsal root → spinal cord

Motor information travels from the ventral horn → ventral root → spinal nerve → rami → target.

How does autonomic output leave the spinal cord?

It exits from the intermediate gray → dorsal root → travels into the spinal nerve → uses white and gray rami to enter and leave sympathetic ganglia.

Go through each of these scenarios and trace the pathways.

1. Motor output starts in the ventral horn, exits via the ventral rootlets and ventral root, enters the mixed spinal nerve, then travels through the posterior ramus to the back muscles.

2. Motor output starts in the ventral horn, exits via the ventral rootlets and ventral root, enters the mixed spinal nerve, then travels through the anterior ramus to trunk muscles.

3. Sensory input from the back travels through the posterior ramus, spinal nerve, dorsal root, and dorsal rootlets into the spinal cord, with the sensory neuron cell body in the dorsal root ganglion.

4. Sensory input from the inner arm travels through the anterior ramus, spinal nerve, dorsal root, and dorsal rootlets into the spinal cord, with the cell body in the dorsal root ganglion.

5. Visceral sensory information hitches a ride through the autonomics, in this case its a meningeal branch. This info still enters through the dorsal root as it’s sensory.

6. Autonomic output comes from the intermediate grey → enters the dorsal horn because it is an output → spinal nerve → respective ganglia

What are the cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglion?

Somatic and viscerael sensory neurons

In C5–C6 exit foraminal stenosis, which spinal nerve is affected and what symptom pattern would you expect?

The C6 spinal nerve is affected and compression can cause proximal lateral forearm pain.

How is a dermatome different from a peripheral nerve sensory distribution?

A dermatome is the sensory territory of a single spinal nerve, while a peripheral nerve sensory distribution reflects the area supplied by a nerve formed from multiple spinal cord levels.

How is a myotome different from a peripheral nerve motor distribution?

A myotome is the muscle action associated with a spinal cord segment, while a peripheral nerve motor distribution is the group of muscles supplied along the course of a specific peripheral nerve

How is a peripheral nerve structurally organized?

Individual axons are wrapped by endoneurium, bundles of axons form fascicles wrapped by perineurium, and multiple fascicles are wrapped together by epineurium.

What forms the cervical plexus and what does it supply?

The cervical plexus is formed by ventral rami C1–C4 and supplies skin and muscles of the neck.

What branch of the cervical plexus is especially important, and why?

The phrenic nerve is especially important because it arises from C3–C5

What forms the brachial plexus?

The brachial plexus is formed by the ventral rami of C5–T1.

Label the roots, trunks, divisions, cords and branches of the brachial plexus.

(Real truckers drink cold beer)

What are the cords of the brachial plexus and how are they named?

The cords are the lateral, posterior, and medial cords; they are in the axilla and are named by their relationship to the axillary artery.

What are the key features of the axillary nerve?

• It comes from the posterior cord,

• passes around the surgical neck of the humerus under the glenohumeral joint

• supplies deltoid, helps with arm abduction

• Vulnerable in surgical neck fractures and anterior shoulder dislocations.

What are the key features of the radial nerve?

• It comes from the posterior cord

• travels posteriorly through the spiral groove of the humerus, then the cubital fossa laterally into the extensor compartment of the forearm

• innervates the triceps, wrist and finger extensors.

• Vulnerable in midshaft humeral fractures

What are the key features of the ulnar nerve?

• Descends the arm medially

• Provides sensation to the medial 1.5 digits (pinky and half of ring finger)

What are the key features of the median nerve?

• Descends the arm medially, crosses the elbow, pierces the pronator teres, travels down the forearm, and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel

• provides sensation to the lateral 3.5 digits and controls most forearm wrist/finger flexors

• A supracondylar humeral fracture can tear or stretch the nerve, causing sensory loss and preventing thumb movement and index/middle finger flexion

What are the key features of the lumbosacral plexus?

• lies on the posterior abdominal wall

• includes the major branches: femoral, obturator, and sciatic, and overall spans L1–S4.

What are the key features of the femoral nerve?

• The femoral nerve supplies the anterior thigh

• Injury causes loss of quadriceps function/knee extension plus sensory loss to the medial lower leg.

What are the key features of the obturator nerve?

• The obturator nerve passes through the obturator foramen

• supplies the medial thigh compartment

• injury causes weak thigh adduction plus sensory loss to the medial thigh. it can be affected by pelvic pathology such as a pelvic/ovarian tumor.

What are the key features of the sciatic nerve?

• Exits through the greater sciatic foramen, runs posterior to the hip joint, travels in the posterior thigh to innervate hamstring muscles.

• Injury can cause major loss of ankle flexion and hip extension.