Spinal Cord + Spinal Nerves - Ch 16

A typical spinal cord in an adult is:

24 - 26 inches long

12 - 14 inches long

8 - 10 inches long

16 - 18 inches long

20 - 24 inches long

16 - 18 inches long

The inferior tip of the spinal cord is the __________ part.

thoracic

lumbar

coccygeal

cervical

sacral

coccygeal

The thin strand of pia mater that helps to anchor the spinal cord to the coccyx is the:

conus medullaris

cervical enlargement

terminus coccyx

filum terminale

coccygeal tendon

filum terminale

The spinal cord part with the largest diameter is the _________ part.

thoracic

cervical

lumbar

sacral

coccygeal

cervical

What is the correct order for the parts of the spinal cord, from superior to inferior?

cervical thoracic sacral coccygeal lumbar

cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal

thoracic lumbar sacral cervical coccygeal

thoracic cervical lumbar coccygeal sacral

thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal cervical

cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal

The tapered, conical inferior end of the spinal cord is called the conus _________.

finalis

medullaris

equine

caudalis

medullaris

Which space associated with the spinal cord meninges contain areolar connective tissue, blood vessels, and adipose connective tissue?

subarachnoid space

epidural space

central space

subdural space

epiarachnoid space

epidural space

Which space associated with the spinal cord meninges contains cerebrospinal fluid?

epidural space

subdural space

subarachnoid space

epiarachnoid space

subpial space

subarachnoid space

In a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), fluid is extracted from the:

central canal of the spinal cord

epidural space

subdural space

epiphyseal space

subarachnoid space

subarachnoid space

The posterior horns of the spinal cord contain:

axons of motor neurons and cell bodies of interneurons

axons of sensory and motor neurons

axons of interneurons

axons of sensory neurons and cell bodies of interneurons

autonomic motor neurons

axons of sensory neurons and cell bodies of interneurons

The lateral horns of the spinal cord contain:

axons of motor neurons and interneuron cell. bodies

axons of sensory and motor neurons

axons of interneurons

axons of sensory neurons and interneuron cell bodies

cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons

cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons

This structure contains unmyelinated axons and serves as a communication route between the right and left sides of the gray matter in this spinal cord.

gray commissure

white commissure

lateral commissure

posterior commissure

denticulate ligaments

gray commissure

Nuclei within the gray matter of the spinal cord that receive information from sensory receptors such as pain or pressure receptors in the skin are _____________ nuclei.

sensory

visceral sensory

somatic sensory

autonomic motor

somatic motor

somatic sensory

The ________ nuclei within the gray matter of the spinal cord send nerve impulses to skeletal muscles.

sensory

visceral sensory

somatic sensory

autonomic sensory

somatic motor

somatic motor

These nuclei are located in the lateral horns and innervate smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

sensory nuclei

autonomic motor nuclei

visceral sensory nuclei

somatic sensory nuclei

somatic motor nuclei

autonomic motor nuclei

A spinal nerve contains:

motor axons only

sensory axons only

both motor axons and sensory axons

both motor axons and sensory axons

There are ____ pairs of spinal nerves.

13

31

40

51

12

31

Spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal and travel through an intervertebral foramen above or below the vertebra of the same number. The exception is:
C4

C8

T1

L5

S8

C8

Which are NOT spinal nerve branches?

rami communicantes

posterior rami

anterior rami

lateral rami

no exceptions; all of the choices are spinal nerve branches

lateral rami

The posterior ramus of a typical spinal nerve innervates the:

deep muscles of the back and the skin of the back

major thoracic and abdominal organs

abdominal wall

anterior and lateral trunk and the limbs

special senses

deep muscles of the back and the skin of the back

The anterior ramus of a typical spinal nerve innervates the:

deep muscles of the back and skin of the back

major thoracic and abdominal organs

abdominal wall

anterior and lateral trunk and the limbs

special senses

anterior and lateral trunk and the limbs

A network of interwoven anterior rami of spinal nerves is a:

ramus

communicans

ganglion

dermatome

plexus

plexus

The anterior rami of T1-T11 are called:

dorsal plexuses

anterior plexuses

intercostal nerves

branchial nerves

cervical nerves

intercostal nerves

The plexuses that lie on either side of the neck are the _________ plexuses.

cervical

coccygeal

lumbar

radial

mandibular

cervical

If a person suffers a thoracic-crushing injury and is unable to breathe properly, you would suspect that this nerve was damaged:

transverse cervical nerve

accessory nerve

phrenic nerve

sciatic nerve

greater auricular nerve

phrenic nerve

The plexus that supplies the upper limbs is the _________ plexus.

cervical

brachial

branchial

lumbar

coccygeal

brachial

Which spinal nerves contribute to the brachial plexus?

S1-Co1

L1-L5

C5-T1

L4-S4

C1-C5

C5-T1

The plexus that travels through the axillary region is the:

cervical

coccygeal

sacral

lumbar

brachial

brachial

Following an injury to his arm, a patient complains that he has no sensation from the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. You suspect he has damaged the:

median nerve

radial nerve

musculocutaneous nerve

ulnar nerve

axillary nerve

median nerve

Following an injury to his arm, a patient complains that he has lost the ability to flex his elbow and supinate his forearm. You suspect that he has damaged the:

median nerve

radial nerve

musculocutaneous nerve

ulnar nerve

axillary nerve

musculocutaneous nerve

Following an injury to his arm, a patient complains that he cannot extend the forearm, wrist, and digits. You suspect he has damaged the:

median nerve

radial nerve

musculocutaneous nerve

ulnar nerve

axillary nerve

radial nerve

Following an injury to his arm, a patient complains that he has no sensation from his “pinky”. You suspect that he has damaged the:

median nerve

radial nerve

musculocutaneous nerve

ulnar nerve

axillary nerve

ulnar nerve

A person suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome has lost function of the:

median nerve

radial nerve

musculocutaneous nerve

ulnar nerve

axillary nerve

median nerve

The largest and longest nerve in the body is the ________ nerve.

femoral

radial

sciatic

obturator

saphenous

sciatic

The nerve responsible for innervation (movement) of the quadriceps femoris muscle is the _________ nerve.

femoral

sciatic

obturator

genitofemoral

tibial

femoral

This nerve helps to plant the foot.

femoral nerve

sciatic nerve

obturator nerve

genitofemoral nerve

tibial nerve

tibial nerve

This nerve receives sensation from the skin of the external genitalia.

pudendal nerve

sciatic nerve

obturator nerve

genitofemoral nerve

tibial nerve

pudendal nerve

Injury to this nerve causes the condition known as sciatica.

femoral nerve

sciatic nerve

obturator nerve

genitofemoral nerve

tibial nerve

sciatic nerve

A rapid, automatic, involuntary reaction of muscles or glands to a particular stimulus is a(an):

autonomic reaction

motor impulse

receptor stimulation

reflex

subconscious impulse

reflex

What is the correct order for the events that occur during a reflex?

a. impulse travels through sensory neuron to the CNS

b. a stimulus activates a receptor

c. information is processed by interneurons

d. motor neuron transmits impulse to effector

e. effector responds

a b c d e

b a c d e

c b a e d

c a b d e

b d c a e

b a c d e

A reflex arc in which both the receptor and effector organs of the reflex are on the same side of the spinal cord is:

monosynaptic

polysynaptic

ipsilateral

contralateral

none of the choices is correct

ipsilateral

Late one night you are leaving the science building during a massive snowstorm. As you approach your car, your right foot suddenly slips on a patch of ice. Your left leg immediately stiffens as you try to regain your balance. The reflex action you relied upon is most correctly known as a(n):

multisynaptic reflex

unilateral reflex

ipsilateral reflex

contralateral reflex

none of the choices is correct

contralateral reflex

The simplest reflex is the ___________ reflex.

multisynaptic

unilateral

monosynaptic

polysynaptic

multilateral

monosynaptic

The simple knee-jerk reflex is an example of a(n) _____________ reflex.

ipsilateral

contralateral

monosynaptic

crossed-extensor

multisynaptic

monosynaptic

Stepping in a piece of glass would most likely invoke a __________ reflex.

golgi tendon

withdrawal

stretch

pain

motor

withdrawal

The Golgi tendon reflex:

helps to overcome pain

aids in sending sensory information to the muscles

prevents skeletal muscles from tensing excessively

prevents muscles from contracting

helps to gain balance through a complex series of muscular contractions

prevents skeletal muscles from tensing excessively

A monosynaptic reflex that monitors and regulates skeletal length is a _________ reflex.

withdrawal

flexor

golgi tendon

stretch

hypoactive

stretch

A diminished reflex response that may indicate damage to a segment of the spinal cord is a(n) ___________ reflex.

hypoactive

hyperactive

diminutive

ponderous

excessive

hypoactive

The reflex that elevates the testes within the scrotum when the medial side of the thigh is briskly stroked is a(n) __________ reflex.

plantar

abdominal

cremasteric

genital

scrotal

cremasteric

What reflex flexes the toes when the inferior surface of the foot is stroked?

cremasteric reflex

patellar reflex

abdominal reflex

achilles reflex

plantar reflex

plantar reflex

The embryonic feature that gives rise to the anterior and lateral horns of gray matter and part of the gray commissure is the _______ plate.

basal

alar

ulnar

anterior

posterior

basal

The adult spinal cord extend inferiorly from the brain through the vertebral canal and ends at the level of the ____ vertebra.

S4

L1

L6

S1

T8

L1

The nerves projecting inferiorly from the spinal cord are collectively called the:

terminal finale

cauda equina

terminus filus

caudal terminale

caudus finalis

cauda equina

The cell bodies of sensory neurons are located in the:

posterior root ganglion

anterior funiculus

gray commissure

anterior horn

posterior funiculus

posterior root ganglion

Which of these spinal nerve counts is incorrect?

thoracic nerve = 8 pairs

cervical nerves = 8 pairs

lumbar nerves = 5 pairs

sacral nerves = 5 pairs

coccygeal nerves = 1 pair

thoracic nerve = 8 pairs

The plexus formed from the anterior rami of L4-S4 is the _________ plexus.

intercostal

cervical

brachial

lumbar

sacral

sacral

This figure shows a cross section of a vertebra and the spinal cord. What structure does number 1 indicate? (epidural space)

epidural space

pia mater

subarachnoid space

central canal dura mater

epidural space

True or False

All spinal nerves are mixed nerves.

true

True or False

In the brain, the outer cerebral cortex consists of gray matter, but in the spinal cord, gray matter is confined to the innermost regions.

true

True or False

A dermatome is a specific segment of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.

true

True or False

In general, nerves from the posterior division of the brachial plexus tend to innervate muscles that extend the parts of the upper limb.

true

True or False

There is no delay between stimulus and response in a polysynaptic reflex.

false

True or False

Interneurons are not involved in a typical monosynaptic reflex.

true

True or False

The spinal cord and spinal nerves are exclusively responsible for some reflexes.

true

True or False

The spinal cord allows for two-way communication between the brain and body.

true

A ___________ is a specific segment of skin that is supplied by a single spinal nerve.

dermatome