Spinal Cord and Meninges

Question 1

Meninges

Answer 1

Membranes that envelope the central nervous system (spinal cord)
3 layers:
dura matter
arachnoid matter
pia matter

Question 2

Dura Mater

Answer 2

outside layer of the spinal cord

Question 3

Arachnoid mater

Answer 3

inside layer pressed against the dura mater

Question 4

Pia Mater

Answer 4

centre of the spinal cord

Question 5

Denticulate Ligament

Answer 5

Attach the pia mater to the dura and arachnoid mater

provide stability to the spinal cord from vertebral column movement

Question 6

Space between dura mater and bone of the vertebrae

Answer 6

Epidural space

Question 7

Space between dura and arachnoid mater from the pia mater

Answer 7

Subarachnoid space

- filled with CSF

Question 8

Pia mater modification at the end of the spinal cord

Answer 8

Filum Terminale

- provides longitudinal support to the spinal chord

Question 9

Where spinal chord ends

Answer 9

Medullary cone

- L2

Question 10

S2

Answer 10

• Dural Sac
  continuation of the dura mater inferior to the termination (caudal end) of the spinal cord (L2 vertebral level), surrounding the cauda equina, and filum terminale

Question 11

Features past the spinal cord

Answer 11

Dural Sac (S2)
- surrounds the filum terminale, and the caudal equina

Cauda Equina

• bundle of nerve “ROOTS”
• horses tail

Filum Terminale
- modification of pia matter below spinal chord to add addition support

Question 12

Formation of a spinal nerve

Answer 12

rootlets -> roots -> spinal nerve -> rami

• ant. post. of both roots and rami
• ant. + post. roots come together to form spinal nerve

Rami - plural
Ramus - singular

Question 13

What exits the intervertebral foreman?

Answer 13

Spinal nerve

• roots of spinal nerve come together before exiting the spinal cord

Question 14

Formation of the spinal nerve INSIDE the dura mater

Answer 14

rootlets and roots (anterior + posterior)

-roots pierce through the dura mater

Question 15

Posterior Rami innervate?

Answer 15

Deep back muscles and sensory to overlying skin

Question 16

Application:

Epidural location?

Answer 16

Below L2

Outside of the dura mater - in the epidural space

Question 17

Sacral Cornua

Answer 17

two small processes projecting inferiorly on either side of the sacral canal (posterior)
- represents inferior articular processes of S5

Question 18

Sacral Hiatus

Answer 18

the opening into the vertebral canal in the midline of the dorsal surface of the sacrum between the laminae of the fifth sacral vertebra (posterior)

• location for epidural injection