Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

Conus Medullaris

A

End tip of the spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Level of conus medullaris in newborns and adults

A

Newborns: L3/L4 Adults: L1/L2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Areas of the spinal cord that are enlarged

A

Cervical (5-T1) , Lumbosacral (L1-L3) : limbs need more innervation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Ventral median fissure

A

Wide groove on the anterior midline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Dorsal median sulcus

A

Narrow groove on the posterior midline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Order of nerves from medial to lateral

A

Spinal cord, rootlet, root, spinal nerve, rami

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

White matter: 3 tracts

A

Dorsal, spinothalamic, Lateral corticopinal (pyramid) tracts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Dorsal column of white matter

A
  • Primary ascending fibers
  • Transmits ipsilateral fine touch/proprioception
  • Subsets: Fasciculus gracilis/cuneatus
  • Synapses w/ 2º fibers within the nuclei of medulla, then decussates
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Ascending fibers

A

Sensory fibers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Fasciculus gracilis

A

Subset of dorsal column that carries lower body info

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Fasciculus cuneatus

A
  • Subset of dorsal column, carries upper body information
  • Only found in the upper body
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Decussation

A

Crossing over the midline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Spinothalamic tract

A
  • in both lateral and ventral columns
  • 2º ascending fibers (synpasing in dorsal gray horn)
  • Lateral tract transmits Contralateral pain/temp
  • Anterior tract transmits crude touch/pressure
  • synapse with 3º in thalamus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Clinical: unilateral lesions of spinothalamic tract cause what?

A

Contralateral anesthesia, 1-2 segments below lesion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Lateral Corticospinal (pyramidal tract)

A
  • Lateral column of white matter
  • Formed by descending upper motor neurons
  • Synapse with lower motor neurons in ventral gray horn for distribution to keletal muscle for voluntary motor control
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Descending neurons

A

Motor neurons

17
Q

Upper motor neurons

A
  • Originate in the motor cortices of the Cerebrum
  • decussate in medulla at the pyramids
  • Run contralaterally in spinal cord
  • Contralateral motor control
18
Q

Lower motor neurons

A
  • Synapse with UMN in ventral gray horn
  • Connect UMN with muscles for voluntary muscle control
19
Q

Clinical: what happens if there is a lesion in the lateral cortiocospinal tract?

A

Paralysis below the level of damage

20
Q

Gray matter: neurons and portions

A
  • Primarily formed by neural cell bodies, axon terminal branches, dendrites
  • Ventral, lateral, dorsal, horns and gray commissure
21
Q

Ventral horns of gray matter

A
  • Found in all levels of the spinal cord
  • Contains Somatic motor neurons
22
Q

Somatic

A

voluntary, skeletal muscle

23
Q

Efferent

A

Going away (exiting) the CNS to motor neurons

24
Q

General Somatic efferents

A
  • aka Lower motor neurons
  • Innervate skeletal muscles
25
Q

Dorsal Horns of gray matter

A
  • Found in all levels of spinal cord
  • contains central processes of sensory neuron axons and interneurons
26
Q

General Somatic Afferents

A
  • aks sensory neuron axons
  • Take sensory info to the brain
27
Q

Interneurons

A
  • aka Ia
  • Integrate various sensory and motor neurons
28
Q

Lateral horns of gray matter

A
  • Found only in spinal cord segments T1 to L2
  • Contains preganglionic sympathetic neuron cell bodies
29
Q

General Visceral Efferents

A
  • Relays information for the preganglionic (autonomic nervous system) sympathetic (excitement neurons) neuron bodies
  • Goes to the involuntary muscles
30
Q

Gray Commissure

A
  • Found at all levels of the spinal cord
  • Connects the left and righ gray columns
  • Area of decussation
31
Q

Central Canal

A
  • Continuous with the 4th ventrical of the brain
  • Contains cerebrospinal fluid
  • May be occluded in aged or diseased spinal cord
32
Q
A