Spinal Cord Anatomy and Coverings: Structures, Meninges, and Nerve Branches

What are the four primary structures that protect the spinal cord?

Vertebral column, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, and vertebral ligaments.

What substance fills the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord?

Fat.

Which layer of the meninges is a dense irregular connective tissue tube?

Dura mater.

what is the spider web of collagen fibers

arachnoid layer

what is filled with CSF

Subarachnoid space

what is the thin layer that adheres to the spinal cord

pia mater

What is the function of the denticulate ligaments?

They are thickenings of the pia mater that suspend the spinal cord in the middle of its dural sheath.

What is the clinical term for inflammation of the meninges?

Meningitis.

Between which vertebrae is a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) typically performed?

Between the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae.

what is a Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

What is the purpose of the cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord?

The cervical enlargement handles nerves to and from the upper limbs, while the lumbar enlargement handles nerves to and from the lower limbs.

What is the function of the dorsal (posterior) root of a spinal nerve?

It carries incoming sensory fibers.

What is the function of the ventral (anterior) root of a spinal nerve?

It carries outgoing motor fibers.

Why are spinal nerves classified as 'mixed'?

Because they contain both sensory and motor fibers.

how are spinal nerves named and numbered

the region and level of the spinal cord from which they emerge.

Which structures divide the white matter of the spinal cord into right and left sides?

The anterior median fissure and the posterior median sulcus.

What is the shape of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

It is shaped like the letter H or a butterfly.

What does the white matter of the spinal cord consist of?

Bundles of myelinated axons of motor and sensory neurons.

In which region of the spinal cord are lateral gray horns present?

The thoracic spinal cord.

What is the function of the anterior white commissure?

It connects the white matter of the right and left sides of the spinal cord.

What are the bundles of nerve axons in the white matter columns called?

Tracts.

What is the connective tissue sheath surrounding a single axon called?

Endoneurium.

What is a bundle of nerve fibers within a perineurium called?

A fascicle.

What is a bundle of fascicles within an epineurium called?

A nerve.

What do the posterior rami of spinal nerves supply?

The skin and deep muscles of the dorsal surface of the trunk.

What is the function of the anterior rami of spinal nerves?

They form plexuses that serve the upper and lower limbs and supply the skin of the lateral and ventral surfaces of the trunk.

What do the meningeal branches of spinal nerves supply?

The meninges, vertebrae, and blood vessels within the vertebral canal.