Unit IV: Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

How long is the spinal cord?

A

16-18 inches

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2
Q

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord occupy 75% of the vertebral canal?

A

C5-C6

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3
Q

What is the superior boundary of the SC for convenience?

A

Foramen magnum

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4
Q

What is the superior boundary of the SC being precise?

A

1st cervical spinal nerve

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5
Q

What is the inferior boundary of the SC?

A

L1-L2: conus medullaris

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6
Q

*How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

A

31

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7
Q

*What does the Bell-Magendi Law state?

A

Dorsal roots contain sensory (afferent) fibers and ventral roots are motor (efferent) fibers

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8
Q

*Where are cervical spinal nerves found in position to its corresponding vertebra?

A

One above

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9
Q

*Where are thoracic spinal nerves found in position to its corresponding vertebra?

A

One below

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10
Q

*Where are lumbar spinal nerves found in position to its corresponding vertebra?

A

One below

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11
Q

*S5 exits at the ___

A

Sacral hiatus

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12
Q

*___ exits at the sacral hiatus

A

Co1-> may be missing

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13
Q

*During the first 3 months of the embryonic development, the cord and the vertebral column are approximately the ___

A

Same length

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14
Q

At birth, the Co1 cord level is at the same level as ___

A

L1-L3

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15
Q

By adulthood, the Co1 cord level is found at ___

A

L1-L2

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16
Q

The end of the SC is called the ___

A

Conus medullaris

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17
Q

Through the lumbar cistern, the formation of the SC is called the ___

A

Cauda equina

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18
Q

The ___ is continuous with the MO and 4th ventricle

A

Central canal

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19
Q

The central canal expands in the conus medullar is as a ___

A

Terminal ventricle

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20
Q

*Terminal vs. lumbar cistern

A
  1. both contain CSF
  2. T- within the cord
  3. L- outside the cord
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21
Q

The dorsal horn of gray matter functions in ___

A

Sensory

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22
Q

The lateral horns of gray matter functions in ___

A

Autonomic-> preganglionic

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23
Q

The ventral horn of gray matter functions in ___

A

Motor

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24
Q

What is a funiculus?

A

A longitudinal bundle of white matter fibers-> columns

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25
Q

White matter composition

A
  1. dense concentrations of neuron cell bodies
  2. many synaptic areas
  3. support glial cells
  4. dense capillary beds
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26
Q

*Rexed lamina I

A

Forms a thin cap over the dorsal horn

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27
Q

*RL II

A
  1. “substantia gelatinosa”

2. important pain reception center

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28
Q

*RL III and IV

A
  1. “nucleus proprius”

2. sensory receptors

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29
Q

*RL V

A
  1. cervical area only
  2. reticular formation
  3. axons cross to the other side of the cord
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30
Q

*Which tract is found in RL V?

A

Lateral spinothalamic

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31
Q

*RL VI

A
  1. missing at some cord levels

2. most anterior aspect of dorsal horn

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32
Q

*RL VII

A
  1. intermediate gray area
  2. descending fibers
  3. C8-L3
  4. lateral horn-> T1-L2
  5. “sacral parasympathetic nucleus”
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33
Q

*Which tract is found in RL VII?

A

Posterior spinocerebellar tract

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34
Q

*RL VIII

A
  1. anterior horn
  2. delta motor neurons
  3. most medial
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35
Q

*RL IX

A
  1. skeletal muscles
  2. “somatic motor horn”
  3. class A alpha motor neurons
  4. series of disconnected islands
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36
Q

*RL X

A
  1. surrounds the central canal
  2. gray commissures
  3. crosses midline
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37
Q
  • Blood vessels are ___ dense in white matter than in gray matter
A

Less

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38
Q

Fibers associate and stay together by surface proteins are called ___

A

NCAMs

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39
Q

*Are tracts observable by general staining techniques?

A

No

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40
Q

Sensory input enters the SC as ___ at the dorsal later sulcus

A

Dorsal root ganglion axons

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41
Q

Most axon will synapse in the ___ when entering the cord

A

Dorsal gray horn laminae

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42
Q

*Where is gracilis located?

A

Dorsal funiculus-> medial aspect

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43
Q

*Where is gracilis present?

A

In all cord levels

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44
Q

*Where do fibers synapse in gracilis?

A

MO

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45
Q
  • Functions of gracilis
A
  1. 2 point touch discrimination
  2. vibratory sensations
  3. kinesthetic sensation
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46
Q

*Pathway of gracilis

A
  1. DRG at all cord levels-> MO
  2. medial lemniscus-> thalamus
  3. post. central gyrus
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47
Q

*Where is cuneatus located?

A

Dorsal funiculus-> lateral aspect

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48
Q

*Where is cuneatus present?

A

T6 and up

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49
Q

*Where do fibers synapse in cuneatus?

A

MO

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50
Q

*Functions of cuneatus

A
  1. 2 point touch discrimination
  2. vibratory sensations
  3. kinesthetic sensation
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51
Q

*Pathway of cuneatus

A
  1. DRG: T6 and up-> MO
  2. medial lemniscus-> thalamus
  3. post. central gyrus
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52
Q

*Where is the lateral spinothalamic tract located?

A

Lateral funiculus

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53
Q

*Where is the lateral spinothalamic tract present?

A

All cord levels

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54
Q

*What is the function of the lateral spinothalamic tract?

A

Pain/temperature

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55
Q

*Do fibers cross quickly or gradually in the lateral spinothalamic tract?

A

Quickly

56
Q

*Pathway of the lateral spinothalamic tract

A
  1. DRG-> cord level
  2. (crosses quickly)-> VPL of the thalamus
  3. post. central gyrus
57
Q

*Where is the anterior spinothalamic tract located?

A

Anterior funiculus

58
Q

*Where is the anterior spinothalamic tract found?

A

All cord levels

59
Q

*What is the function of the anterior spinothalamic tract?

A

Light touch/pressure

60
Q

*Do fibers cross quickly or gradually in the anterior spinothalamic tract?

A

Gradually

61
Q

*Pathway of the anterior spinothalamic tract

A
  1. DRG-> cord level
  2. (crosses gradually)-> VPL of the thalamus
  3. post. central gyrus
62
Q

Lesions in the spinothalamic tracts lead to ___ and ___ on the opposite side of the body

A

Analgesia and thermoanaesthesia

63
Q

What is analgesia?

A

Loss of pain sensation

64
Q

What is thermoanaesthesia?

A

Loss of temperature sensation

65
Q

*In the spinothalamic tracts, fibers terminate in the ___

A

VPL of the thalamus

66
Q

*Where is the anterior spinocerebellar tract located?

A

Lateral funiculus

67
Q

*Do fibers cross in the anterior spinocerebellar tract?

A

Yes, and cross back again in cerebellum

68
Q

*Where are the fiber origins in the anterior spinocerebellar tract?

A

Lumbosacral cord’s gray laminae

69
Q

*Where do fibers terminate in the anterior spinocerebellar tract?

A

Cerebellum-> superior cerebellar peduncle

70
Q

*What is the function of the anterior spinocerebellar tract?

A
  1. gross movements of lower body

2. general activity of what is about to happen

71
Q

*Where is the posterior spinocerebellar tract located?

A

Lateral funiculus

72
Q

*Do fibers in the posterior spinocerebellar tract cross?

A

No

73
Q

*Where are the fiber origins of the posterior spinocerebellar tract?

A

Nucleus dorsalis-> C8-L3

74
Q

*Where do fibers terminate in the posterior spinocerebellar tract?

A

Cerebellum-> inferior cerebellar peduncle

75
Q

*What is the function of the posterior spinocerebellar tract?

A
  1. proprioceptive input dealing with mainly fine movements

2. what has just happened

76
Q

*Pathway of the anterior spinocerebellar tract

A
  1. DRG-> cord level

2. (crosses quickly)-> superior cerebellar peduncle-> crosses back-> opposite side of cerebellum

77
Q

*Pathway of the posterior spinocerebellar tract

A
  1. DRG (C8-L3)-> cord level-> inferior cerebellar peduncle-> cerebellum
78
Q

*Proprioceptive fibers dealing with fine movements from the lower extremity may enter the cord ___

A

Below the nucleus dorsalis

79
Q

*If proprioceptive fibers come from below the nucleus dorsals, which tract takes over and carries them to the designated spinal tract?

A

Gracilis

80
Q

*Function of the cuneocerebellar tract

A

Fine movement proprioceptive fibers from the lower extremity

81
Q

*Pathway of the cuneocerebellar tract

A
  1. DRG (upper extremity)-> inferior cerebellar peduncle

2. cerebellum

82
Q

6 ascending tracts

A
  1. gracilis
  2. cuneatus
  3. lateral spinothalamic
  4. anterior spinothalamic
  5. anterior spinocerebellar
  6. posterior spinocerebellar
83
Q

*Where is the anterior corticospinal tract located?

A

Anterior funiculus

84
Q

*How many fibers does the anterior corticospinal tract carry?

A

5-15%

85
Q

*Where do fibers cross in the anterior corticospinal tract?

A

In the cord

86
Q

*Where does the anterior corticospinal tract terminate?

A

By mid thoracic cord level

87
Q

*What is the function of the corticospinal tract

A

Trick question- function is unclear

88
Q

*Where is the lateral corticospinal tract located?

A

Lateral funiculus

89
Q

*How many fibers does the lateral corticospinal tract carry?

A

85-95%

90
Q

*Where do fibers in the lateral corticospinal tract cross?

A

Pyramids of the MO

91
Q

*What level is the lateral corticospinal tract found at?

A

All cord levels

92
Q

*What is the function of the lateral corticospinal tract?

A

Initiating and accomplishing precise skilled voluntary movements

93
Q

*Pathway of the anterior corticospinal tract

A
  1. motor cortex-> (crosses in cord)-> level of synapse

2. DRG

94
Q

*Pathway of the lateral corticospinal tract

A
  1. motor cortex-> (crosses in MO)-> level of synapse

2. DRG

95
Q

*Tract that has the only axons that begin in the cerebral cortex and run uninterrupted to the spinal cord

A

Corticospinals

96
Q

*Where do corticospinal tracts synapse?

A

Laminas VII and IX

97
Q

*Most axons from the corticospinals are ___ from the pre central gyrus of the frontal lobe

A

Giant pyramidal (Betz) cells

98
Q

What are lower motor neurons?

A

Originate in the spinal cord or brain stem and extend into the PNS

99
Q

What are upper motor neurons?

A

Neurons that come from the cortex or brainstem that influence LMNs

100
Q

Example of a UMN lesion

A

Cerebral Palsy

101
Q

Example of a LMN lesion

A

Polio

102
Q

*What are pyramidal neurons?

A

UMNs involved with the initiation of skilled voluntary movements

103
Q

Example of a tract in the cord that is pyramidal?

A

Corticospinals

104
Q

*What are extrapyramidal neurons?

A
  1. UMNs which originate in the brain stem and extend down to the cord
  2. influence posture, muscle tone, reflexes, smooth and effective voluntary movments
105
Q

Examples of tracts that are extrapyramidal

A
  1. tectospinal
  2. rubrospinal
  3. vestibulospinal
106
Q

*Origin of the tectospinal tract

A

Superior colliculus of midbrain’s tectum

107
Q

*Do fibers cross in the tectospinal tract?

A

Yes- as they descend

108
Q

*Where do fibers terminate in the tectospinal tract?

A

Upper 4 cervical cord levels

109
Q

*What is the function of the tectospinal tract

A

Sight and auditory stimuli-> trapezius and SCM

110
Q

*Pathway of the tectospinal tract

A
  1. tectum-> (cross in MO)-> synapse before C4
111
Q

*Origin of the rubrospinal tract

A

Red nucleus

112
Q

*Do fibers cross in the rubrospinal tract?

A

Yes- in the midbrain

113
Q

*Where is the rubrospinal tract found?

A

All cord levels

114
Q

*What is the function of the rubrospinal tract?

A

Muscle tone control in the hand and foot

115
Q

*Pathway of the rubrospinal tract

A
  1. red nucleus-> (crosses in MO)-> level of synapse
116
Q

*Origin of the vestibulospinal tract

A

MO-> Deiters’ nucleus

117
Q

*Do fibers cross in the vestibulospinal tract?

A

No

118
Q

*Where is the vestibulospinal tract found?

A

All cord levels

119
Q

*Function of the vestibulospinal tract

A
  1. muscle tone and postural adjustment in extensor musculature
  2. falling
120
Q

*Pathway of the vestibulospinal tract

A
  1. Deiters’ nucleus-> level of synapse
121
Q

*What is the function of the reticulospinal tract

A

Heart, blood pressure, and respiratory rates and rhythms

122
Q

*Where is the fasciculus proprius found at?

A

Spinospinal fibers

123
Q

*Function of the fasciculus propruis

A

Spinal reflexes

124
Q

What fibers are the first to be myelinated in the fetus?

A

Fasciculus proprius

125
Q

*Where is the dorsolateral located?

A

Between RL I and posterior lateral sulcus of the cord

126
Q

Symptoms of UMN lesions

A
  1. skeletal muscle becomes rigid

2. spasticity

127
Q

Symptoms of LMN lesions

A
  1. skeletal muscle wastes away

2. flaccidity

128
Q

What vertebral levels are most common sites for severe injury?

A

C5/C6 and T12/L1

129
Q

What is Brown-Sequard Syndrome?

A

Total loss of either the right or left side of the spinal cord

130
Q

What is Tabes Dorsals?

A

Bacteria that wastes away the dorsal funiculus-> fasciculus gracilis

131
Q

*What is multiple sclerosis?

A

Destruction of the CNS myelin-> interfascicular oligodendrocytes

132
Q

*What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

A

Destruction of UMNs and LMNs-> lateral corticospinal tracts

133
Q

Toxins and myelin features

A
  1. myelin alteration

2. hexachlorophene

134
Q

What is pernicious anemia

A
  1. deficiency of vitamin B12 due to intrinsic factor problems
  2. CNS and PNS changes
135
Q

What is syringomeylia?

A

The cord’s central canal or adjacent areas begin to hollow out

136
Q

What is poliomyelitis?

A
  1. a virus altering of the sytoplasm of the neuron’s cell body until cell death
  2. scar tissue follows
  3. upper cervicals-> respiratory failure
  4. retrograde
137
Q

Neoplasm and compression features

A
  1. most common cord tumor-> ependymoma in the conus medullaris
  2. most common vertebral canal tumor-> meningioma
  3. glioblastoma multiforma