Chapter 16: Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

Is the spinal cord dependent or independent from the brain?

independent

What functions as the body-brain link?

Spinal cord

Where is the spinal cord located?

vertebral canal

What is the structure at the end of the spinal cord called?

Conus medullaris

Which structure of the spinal cord is called "horses tail"?

Cauda equina

What is the cauda equina composed of?

nerve roots (lumbar, sacral, coccygeal)

Which structure of the spinal cord functions to anchor the spinal cord to the coccyx?

Filum terminale

Which meningeal space of the spinal cord is located outside of the meninges?

Epidural space

What kind of tissue composes the epidural space?

Connective tissue

Name the order of the meningeal spaces of the spinal cord from outside to inside

epidural space, dura mater, arachnoid mater, subarachnoid space, pia mater (EDASP)

Which meningeal space is described as potential space?

Subdural space

Which meningeal space contains cerebrospinal fluid?

subarachnoid space

Which meningeal space has denticulate ligaments?

pia mater

Which meningeal space functions as support to the spinal cord?

pia mater

What is the purpose of a lumbar puncture (spinal tap)?

to sample CSF

From which meningeal layer is the CSF sample gathered during a spinal tap?

subarachnoid space

What kind of tissue is white matter made of?

myelinated axons

Which canal of the spinal cord cross section is a remnant of the embryonic neural canal?

Central canal (contain CSF)

Which part of the spinal cord cross section contains the posterior horns and anterior horns?

Gray matter

What kind of tissue type are posterior horns?

sensory neurons

What kind of tissue type are anterior horns?

motor neurons

How many spinal nerves are there?

31 pairs

Which root of spinal nerve is sensory axons only?

Posterior (dorsal) root

What are the cell bodies of sensory neurons called?

Dorsal root ganglion

Which root of spinal nerve are the axons of motor neurons?

anterior root

What are the cell bodies in the anterior horn of gray matter called?

anterior root

Which clinical application attacks the ventral horn neurons as a gastrointestinal disease that is passed through fecal matter, and can cause paralysis or meningitis?

Polio

When was the polio vaccine introduced?

1950s

Which rami are located in the skin and deep muscles of the back?

posterior rami

Which rami are large and located in most structures (trunk, limbs, etc.)?

anterior rami

Which rami has a destination of the sympathetic trunk ganglia and autonomic nervous system?

rami communicantes

How many cervical spinal nerves are there?

8 pairs

How many thoracic spinal nerves are there?

12 pairs

How many lumbar and how many sacral spinal nerves are there?

5 pairs each

How many coccygeal spinal nerves are there?

1 pair

What is defined as a segment of skin innervated by a spinal nerve?

Dermatomes

Where is referred visceral pain sent?

to dermatome

Why is referred visceral pain sent to dermatome?

there are organ to skin neurons and some ascending tracts

What is the reason for a heart attack occurring in T1-T3 dermatome?

sympathetic innervation

Where is the referred pain location of a heart attack?

Shoulder/arm

Which structure of the nerve plexuses is described as interweaving?

anterior rami

Which structure of the nerve plexuses is defined as neurons from multiple spinal nerves?

terminal nerve

T/F:

Total innervation loss to an organ/muscle requires damage to multiple segments of the nerve plexus.

true

Which nerve of the cervical plexus has a destination of the pericardium and diaphragm?

Phrenic nerve

Which plexus is located in the axilla?

Brachial plexus

Name three terminal nerves of the brachial plexus.

musculocutaneous nerve, median nerve, ulnar nerve

Which plexus innervates the anterior neck muscles and the skin of the neck, head, and shoulders?

Cervical plexus

Which terminal nerve of the brachial plexus innervates the bicep?

Musculocutaneous nerve

Which nerve of the brachial plexus is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome?

Median nerve

Which plexus is located in the posterior abdominal wall?

Lumbar plexus

Which plexus innervates the lower limb and the inferior abdominal wall?

Lumbar plexus

Which nerve of the lumbar plexus is motor to the anterior thigh muscles and sensory to the cutaneous thigh and medial leg?

Femoral nerve

Which plexus is located anterior to the sacrum and in the true pelvis?

Sacral plexus

Which plexus innervates the gluteal region, pelvis, perineum, posterior thigh, leg, and foot?

Sacral plexus

What is the largest nerve in the body?

sciatic nerve

Which nerve of the sacral plexus, innervates the posterior thigh, leg, and foot?

Sciatic nerve

Name the two branches of the sciatic nerve

tibial nerve and common fibular nerve

What is defined as the neural pathway of a single reflex?

reflex arch

T/F:

Glands and muscles have rapid, involuntary reactions

true