Organisation of the spinal cord

Question 1

What three protective layers make up the meninges?

Answer 1

Dura mater, arachnoic mata and pia mater

Question 2

Which layer surrounding the CNS contains blood vessels?

Answer 2

Pia mater

Question 3

What space exists between the vertebral canal and the dura mater- what passes through here?

Answer 3

Epidural space.

Fatty layer where spinal nerves pass through

Question 4

What space exists beneath the dura mater?

Answer 4

Subdural space

Question 5

What space exists beneath the dura arachnoid? What does it contain

Answer 5

Subarachnoid space. Contains cerebral spinal fluid

Question 6

Which space does lumbar punch go into and why?

Answer 6

Subarachnoid because it is taking a sample of cerebral spinal fluid

Question 7

Define dorsal and ventral

Answer 7

Dorsal= posterior
Ventral= anterior

Question 8

What is the name for the white matter at the posterior spinal cord?

Answer 8

Dorsal funiculus

Question 9

Describe structure of dorsal root ganglion

Answer 9

Thousands of cell bodies stacking on top of eachother cause a swelling. No synapsing at this location

Question 10

What arteries mainly supply the spinal cord?

Answer 10

Vertebral arteries

Question 11

What do the vertebral arteries form when they meet?

Answer 11

Basilar artery which travels to head

Anterior spinal artery

Question 12

How does the anterior spinal artery travel?

Answer 12

Travels downwards through foramen magnum

Question 13

Where do posterior spinal arteries travel?

Answer 13

Through vertebral foramen

Question 14

How are spinal nerves named?

Answer 14

Cervical- named after one below. Elsewhere- named after one above

Question 15

Why are there more cervical spinal nerves than cervical vertebrae?

Answer 15

First cervical nerve comes between skull and C1

Question 16

What level does the spinal cord end in adults?

Answer 16

L2/L3

Question 17

What is the conus medularis?

Answer 17

Point coming down from lumbar enlargement where the spinal cord tapers

Question 18

What is the cauda equina?

Answer 18

Bundle of nerves at bottom of spinal cord which are stretched to their end point

Question 19

What is the filum terminale?

Answer 19

Made up of glial elements and function is to anchor the spinal cord

Question 20

Describe structure of cervical cross section (2)

Answer 20

large amounts of white matter

large ventral and dorsal horns

Question 21

Describe structure of a thoracic cross section?

Answer 21

large amounts of white matter

lateral horn of grey

Question 22

Describe structure of a lumbar cross section?

Answer 22

Little white matter

Large ventral and dorsal horns

Question 23

Descibe structure of a sacral cross section?

Answer 23

Predominantly grey matter

Question 24

Name the 3 ascending sensory tracts

Answer 24

Spinothalamic
Spinocerebellar
Dorsal column medial lemniscus

Question 25

What is the function of the spinothalamic tract?

Answer 25

Sensory to crude touch, pain and temperature

Question 26

What is the function of the dorsal column medial lemniscus?

Answer 26

Sensory to discriminative touch, vibration and proprioception.

Question 27

What body parts do the fasciculus cuneatus and fasciculus gracilis cover?

Answer 27

``` Cuneatus= upper limb Gracilis= lower limb ```

Question 28

What is the function of the spinocerebellar tract?

Answer 28

Subconcious proprioception- stretch, position of joints etc.

Question 29

What is the function of the corticospinal?

Answer 29

Motor tract

Question 30

Which of the tracts doesn't cross the midline?

Answer 30

Spinocerebellar