Lab Exercise 17 Flashcards
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
carries sensory information to the brain and motor output to nerves, mediates spinal reflexes
What do spinal reflexes do?
process sensory input and convey motor output to the spinal nerves
What protects the spinal cord?
bony vertebrae, adipose tissue, spinal meninges, cerebrospinal fluid
What does adipose tissue do in relation to the spinal cord?
cushions the spinal cord and is found within the space between the vertebrae and the meninges
What is the space between the vertebrae and the meninges called?
epidural space
What are meninges?
connective tissue membranes that cover the spinal cord and are continuous with the cranial meninges that protect the brain
What is the dura mater?
the outer meninx; a tough, single-layered membrane that is deep to the epidural space and superficial to the spider web-like arachnoid mater
What is in the pia mater?
the inner meninx that is delicate and hugs the spinal cord
What are denticulate ligaments?
lateral extensions of pia mater that fuse with arachnoid mater and secure the spinal cord
What is the subarachnoid space?
a space between the pia and arachnoid mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid, which also cushions the spinal cord
How many pairs of spinal nerves are attached to the spinal cord?
31 pairs
What is the cervical enlargement?
a bulge located at levels C3 or C4 through T1; designates the location of nuclei, for the upper extremities
What is the inferior lumbar enlargement?
located at levels T9 through T12 and contains nuclei for the lower extremities
What is the conus medullaris?
Where the spinal cord ends inferiorly between vertebral levels L1 and L2
What is the cauda equina?
nerve roots (group of axons) arising from the inferior portion of the spinal cord continue inferiorly as a group called the cauda equina
What is the filum terminale?
an extension of the pia mater that continues past the conus medullaris and connects the inferior end of the spinal cord to the coccyx
What is the anterior median fissure?
a wide, deep groove on the anterior surface of the spinal cord
What is the posterior median sulcus?
a narrow groove on the posterior surface
What do anterior (ventral) gray horns contain?
somatic motor neuron cell bodies
What do lateral gray horns contain?
cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons
What do posterior (dorsal) gray horns contain?
neuron cell bodies that receive impulses from sensory neurons
What is the gray commissure?
a narrow bridge of gray matter that connects the right and left sides of gray matter in the middle of the spinal cord
What is the central canal?
located in the center of the gray commissure and contains cerebrospinal fluid
What are the anterior, lateral, and posterior white columns?
columns or funiculi made up of white, myelinated fibers that are either sensory or motor fibers
