Spinal cord

Question 1

The artery of Adamkiewicz (select 2):
a. more commonly arises from the left side
b. provides collateral circulation to the posterior spinal cord
c. usually arises between T4 and T8
d. occlusion can cause flaccid paralysis

Answer 1

a. more commonly arises from the left side
d. occlusion can cause flaccid paralysis

Question 2

The artery of Adamkiewicz originates between

Answer 2

T8-T12
left side typically between T11-T12

Question 3

The spinal cord’s circulation consists of:

Answer 3

posterior spinal arteries (2)
anterior spinal artery (1)
radicular arteries (6-8)

Question 4

The anterior spinal artery perfuses the

Answer 4

anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord

Question 5

The radicular arteries perfuse the

Answer 5

spinal arteries in the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord

Question 6

The posterior spinal arteries perfuse

Answer 6

the posterior 1/3rd of the spinal cord

Question 7

Interruption of radicular flow can cause

Answer 7

ischemic injury to the corresponding spinal cord segments

Question 8

The ____________ supply the anterior and posterior spinal arteries in the cervical region of the spinal cord.

Answer 8

vertebral arteries

Question 9

The most important radicular artery is

Answer 9

the artery of Adamkiewicz

Question 10

The artery of Adamkiewicz perfuses the

Answer 10

anterior spinal cord in the thoracolumbar region

Question 11

An aortic cross-clamp placed above the artery of Adamkiewicz can cause

Answer 11

ischemia to the lower portion of the anterior spinal cord resulting in anterior spinal artery syndrome (Beck’s syndrome)

Question 12

Anterior spinal artery syndrome is also known as

Answer 12

Beck’s syndrome

Question 13

Classic signs of anterior spinal artery syndrome include

Answer 13

flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities
bowel and bladder dysfunction
loss of temperature and pain sensation
preserved touch and proprioception

Question 14

The corticospinal tract is perfused by

Answer 14

the anterior blood supply. This explains why the patient presents with flaccid paralysis of the lower extremies

Question 15

The spinothalamic tract is perfused by

Answer 15

the anterior blood supply. This explains why the patient loses pain and temperature sensation

Question 16

Autonomic motor fibers are perfused by

Answer 16

the anterior blood supply. This explains why the patient experiences bowel and bladder dysfunction

Question 17

The dorsal column is perfused by the

Answer 17

posterior blood supply. This explains why touch and proprioception are preserved

Question 18

List 3 spinal pathways that are supplied by the anterior spinal artery

Answer 18

corticospinal tract
autonomic motor fibers
spinothalamic tract

Question 19

List 1 spinal pathway that is supplied by the posterior spinal artery.

Answer 19

dorsal column

Question 20

The spinal cord links the

Answer 20

peripheral nerves to the brain

Question 21

Motor and autonomic neurons exit the spinal cord via

Answer 21

the ventral nerve root

Question 22

Sensory neurons enter the spinal cord via

Answer 22

the dorsal root

Question 23

A _______ is a collection of cell bodies that reside outside of the CNS

Answer 23

ganglion

Question 24

The white matter of the spinal cord contains the

Answer 24

axons of the ascending and descending tracts

Question 25

A tract is a

Answer 25

group of fibers inside the white matter in the CNS that relay information up or down the spinal cord or to and from the brain

Question 26

The grey matter of the spinal cord contains

Answer 26

neuronal cell bodies and they're subdivided into 10 laminae

Question 27

Laminae 1-6 are _____-

Answer 27

sensory

Question 28

Laminae 7-9 are

Answer 28

motor

Question 29

Lamina 10 is

Answer 29

central commissures (cross-over) area

Question 30

The grey matter is larger in two specific regions of the spinal cord:

Answer 30

C5-C7 L3-S2

Question 31

The region of cervical enlargement of the grey matter contains the

Answer 31

cell bodies for the neurons that supply the upper extremities

Question 32

The region of lumbar enlargement of the grey matter contains the

Answer 32

cell bodies for the neurons that supply the lower extremities

Question 33

The corticospinal tracts travel from

Answer 33

the cortex to the spine

Question 34

The corticospinal tracts are _______pathways

Answer 34

motor

Question 35

The spinothalamic tracts travel from

Answer 35

the spine to the thalamus

Question 36

The spinothalamic tracts are ______- pathways

Answer 36

sensory

Question 37

All of the following statements about the dorsal column are true EXCEPT: a. the first-order neuron enters the spinal cord via the dorsal root ganglia b. it transmits nociceptive input to the thalamus c. the second order neuron decussates in the medulla d. it transmits sensory information faster than the anterolateral system

Answer 37

b. it transmits nociceptive input to the thalamus the anterolateral system, not the dorsal column, transmits nociceptive input to the thalamus

Question 38

The dorsal column is a ________________ pathway

Answer 38

Three-neuron sensory

Question 39

The dorsal column transmits:

Answer 39

fine touch proprioception vibration pressure (fine degree of intensity)

Question 40

The dorsal column consists of

Answer 40

large, myelinated, rapidly conducting fibers

Question 41

The dorsal column transmits sensory information faster than

Answer 41

the anterolateral system

Question 42

The Merkel's discs mechanoreceptors function is

Answer 42

continuous touch

Question 43

The Ruffini's endings mechanoreceptors function is

Answer 43

proprioception prolonged touch and pressure

Question 44

The Pacinian corpuscles mechanoreceptors function is

Answer 44

vibration

Question 45

The Meissner's corpuscles mechanoreceptor function is

Answer 45

two-point discriminative touch & vibration

Question 46

First order neurons enter

Answer 46

the spinal cord through the dorsal root ganglion

Question 47

First-order neurons relays sensory information from the

Answer 47

dorsal column to the medulla

Question 48

First-order neurons ascend the spinal cord on the

Answer 48

ipsilateral side (same side that it entered)

Question 49

The first-order neuron synapses with the second-order neuron in the

Answer 49

medulla

Question 50

Second-order neurons cross to the contralateral side in

Answer 50

the medulla

Question 51

Second-order neurons ascend towards th

Answer 51

thalamus via the medial lemniscus

Question 52

Second-order neurons are joined by the

Answer 52

trigeminal nerve (which provides sensation to the face and head)

Question 53

Second-order neurons synapse with the third-order neuron in the

Answer 53

thalamic realy station