Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the spinal cord and its associated nerves.

Spinal cord

The structure that extends from the brain at the foramen magnum down to the second lumbar vertebra.

Cervical enlargement

The part of the spinal cord that supplies nerves to the upper limbs.

Lumbar enlargement

The part of the spinal cord that supplies nerves to the lower limbs.

Conus medullaris

The tapered inferior end of the spinal cord.

Cauda equina

A bundle of spinal nerves extending inferiorly from the lumbosacral enlargement and conus medullaris.

Meninges

The three connective tissue membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain.

Dura mater

The outermost layer of the meninges, continuous with the epineurium of the spinal nerves.

Arachnoid mater

The middle layer of the meninges, which is thin and wispy.

Pia mater

The innermost layer of the meninges, closely bound to the brain and spinal cord.

Epidural space

The space between the dura mater and the vertebral wall that contains blood vessels, areolar connective tissue, and fat.

Reflex arc

The neural pathway controlling a reflex, including components like sensory receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron, and effector organ.

Monosynaptic reflex

A reflex with no interneurons, involving only one synapse.

Polysynaptic reflex

A reflex involving multiple synapses with interneurons.

Golgi tendon organ

Encapsulated nerve endings that sense tension in tendons, preventing excessive tension.

Withdrawal reflex

A protective reflex that causes the withdrawal of a body part from a painful stimulus.

Dermatomal map

A representation of the area of skin supplied by sensory innervation from spinal nerves.

Brachial plexus

A network of nerves formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves C5 to T1, supplying the upper limb.

Lumbar plexus

A network of nerves formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves L1 to L4, supplying the lower limb.

Sacro-plexus

A network of nerves formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves L4 to S4, part of the innervation to the lower limbs.

Anesthesia

Loss of sensation that may be a pathological condition or induced for medical purposes.

Neuritis

Inflammation of a nerve, which can result in loss of motor or sensory function.

Multiple sclerosis

An autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system.