Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerve, Autonomic Nervous System, & Reflexes lab requirements

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the spinal cord, nerves, reflexes, and associated structures.

Conus medullaris

Cone-shaped region along the 1st or 2nd vertebra.

Cauda equina

Collection of spinal nerves along the inferior end of the vertebral canal.

Filum terminale

Fibrous extension of the pia mater.

Cervical enlargement

Enlargement of the spinal cord in the cervical region.

Lumbar enlargement

Enlargement of the spinal cord in the lumbar region.

Sympathetic chain ganglia

Bundles of nerve cell bodies that are part of the sympathetic nervous system.

Dorsal root ganglia

Nerve cell bodies located in the dorsal root of spinal nerves.

Spinal nerves

Mixed nerves that contain both sensory and motor fibers.

Gray matter

Region of the spinal cord that contains neuronal cell bodies.

Dorsal (posterior) horns

Regions in the gray matter that receive sensory input.

Ventral (anterior) horns

Regions in the gray matter that send motor output.

Lateral horn

Region of gray matter found in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions.

Gray commissure

Bridge of gray matter connecting the two halves of the spinal cord.

Central canal

CSF-filled space in the center of the spinal cord.

White matter

Region of the spinal cord that contains myelinated axons.

Posterior white column

Area of white matter that carries sensory information.

Anterior median fissure

Deep groove along the anterior midline of the spinal cord.

Meninges

Protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Dura mater

The outermost layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid mater

The middle layer of the meninges.

Pia mater

The innermost layer of the meninges, closely adhering to the spinal cord.

Cervical Plexus

Nerve plexus that innervates the head, neck, and diaphragm.

Phrenic nerve

Nerve that innervates the diaphragm for respiration.

Brachial Plexus

Nerve plexus that innervates arm muscles and skin.

Femoral nerve

Nerve that innervates the lower abdomen and anterior thigh muscles.

Sciatic nerve

Largest nerve of the body that innervates the lower trunk and posterior thigh.

Reflex

An automatic response to a stimulus.

Reflex arc

Pathway involved in a reflex action.

Monosynaptic reflex

Reflex involving one synapse between a sensory and motor neuron.

Polysynaptic reflex

Reflex involving one or more interneurons between sensory and motor neurons.