Lecture 5- Spinal cord and spinal nerves; autonomic nervous system Flashcards
Name the 4 main functions of the spinal cord
- final common pathway for the motor system
- conveys somatosensory information from the body
- conducts information for autonomic nervous system
- important centre for reflex activity
the spinal cord is a continuation of the ___ ____
medulla oblongata
the spinal cord ends at level ___ or __ which is known as ___ ____
- L1
- L2
- conus medullaris
describe the function of the filum terminale and where it descends from
- the filum terminale is a slender, fibrous thread that holds the spinal cord in place
- it descends from the conus medullaris
below L1/L2 the nerve root bundle that travel down the spinal cord is called ____ ____
- cauda equina
what is the Lumbrosacral enlargement?
- Lumbrosacral enlargement is when the spinal cord is bigger to accommodate for more motor neurons that are present
- more motor neurons needed in this area for the control of lower extremity muscles
spinal nerves go through the _____ ____
- intervertebral foramina
T/F: both layers of the dura mater (periosteal and meningeal) are present in the spinal cord
- False: only the meningeal layer is present in the spinal cord
the dura mater encloses the ___ __ and the ___ ___ and etends along each ___ ___
- spinal cord
- cauda equina
- nerve root
the dura extends along the nerve root and becomes continuous with the ______ of the spinal nerves
- epineurium
the epidural space is between the ___ and the ____
- dura
- periosteum
the epidural is filled with ___ ___ which provides ____
- fat tissue
- insulation from jarring forces
the ___ covers the whole spinal nerve root
- epineurium
the ____ covers the axons of each nerve within the neuron
- perineurum
the ___ ___ continues along the spinal nerve root and blends with the perineurim
- arachnoid mater
the ___ ____ ends inferiorly at S2 vertebra
- subarachnoid space
the CSF is present in the ____ ___ and in the ___ ___ of the spinal cord
- subarachnoid space
- central canal
what fluid protects the spinal cord from trauma
- CSF
what are 2 ways that the CFS protects the spinal cord
- Chemical= CSF provides a safe chemical environment for the nerves
- Mechanical= CSF cushions the nerves
where do you perform the lumbar puncture and what is considered a normal colour for the CSF
- performed in the subarachnoid space of lumbar cistern
- CSF should be clear NOT cloudy
what mater is thin, maliable and runs closest to the spinal cord
- pia mater
___ ___ are folds of the pia mater found within the spinal cord
- Denticulate ligaments
Denticulate ligaments stretch from ____ of ___ to attach to ___ and _____
- surface of cord
- arachnoid mater
- dura mater
what is the main function of the denticulate ligament
- to protect the spinal cord by suspending the spinal cord in the middle of the dural sheath