SPINAL CORD AND BRAIN Flashcards by Mercer Reid

What are the functions of the spinal meninges

To protect the spinal cord from the bony vertebral column and vascularise the spinal cord

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What is the cauda equina and why does it exist?

A bundle of long spinal nerves. The spinal cord ends at L1-2 because the vertebral column grows faster then the spinal cord. The cauda equina allows for the spinal nerves to extend down to the lower limbs.

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Where is the epidural space

Between the dura mater and the periosteum. In this space is nerve roots supplying the pelvis and lower limbs

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Why are there larger diameters at the cervical and lumbar areas of the spinal cords

To accomodate for the nerve inputs of the brachial and lumbosacral plexus.

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Explain the neural pathway of movement without conscious thought

Sensory neurons relay to a motor neuron in the spinal cord via an interneuron. Therefore movement can be performed without conscious thought as the nerve information does not travel to the brain.

This is the case for the patellar and pain reflexes

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What is the filum terminale

Not a nerve. It is a modified band of pia mater, 20 cm long

In between conus medullaris (end of spinal cord) and1st coccygeal bone.

Provides stability to spinal cord within vertebral canal

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What are the differences between cranial and spinal nerves

Cranial: exit cranial cavity through foramina, relate to special senses

Spinal: (exception of C1) arise from spinal cord and exit via intervertebral foramina. 31 bilateral pairs that have both sensory and motor neurons

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Why are there 8 cervical spinal nerves if there are only 7 cervical vertebrae

1st cervical nerve is superior to atlas (C1). The rest exit between vertebrae. Making 8 in total

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What is the role of the intercostal nerves

Somatic nerves that control:

intercostal muscles
thoracic pleura
abdominal peritoneum
anterior abdominal wall muscles

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Explain the characteristics of the median nerve

C6-T1: Lateral and medial cords

Motor:
Superficial and deep flexors of anterior forearm compartment
Some intrinsic hand muscles

Sensory skin:
Anterolateral surface of hand

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Explain the characteristics of the ulnar nerve

C8 + T1 + C7: Medial cord

Motor:
Some anterior forearm muscles
Ulnar 1/2 flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Deep head of flexor pollicis brevis
Intrinsic hand muscles

Sensory skin:
Medial edge of hand

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Explain the characteristics of the radial nerve

C5-T1: Posterior cord

Motor:
Extensor muscles of posterior compartment of arm and forearm

Sensory skin:
Posterior arm and forearm
Dorsum of hand

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Explain the characteristics of the femoral nerve

L2-L4

Motor:
Anterior thigh compartment
Hip flexors
Knee extensors (except Psoas major)

Sensory skin:
Over anteromedial surface of thigh
Medial surface of leg and foot

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Explain the characteristics of the sciatic nerve

L4-S3

Motor:
Posterior thigh compartment by tibial division of sciatic nerve

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Explain the characteristics of the common fibular nerve

Motor:
Deep part = anterior leg compartment (dorsiflexors)
Superficial part: Lateral leg compartment (eversion)
Short head of biceps femoris (Posterior thigh)

Sensory skin:
lateral leg
dorsum of foot and digits

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Explain the characteristics of the tibial nerve

Motor:
Superficial and deep posterior leg compartments
Plantarflexion, inversion, leg flexion at knee

Sensory skin:
Posterolateral leg
Plantar surface of foot + digits

Describe what components make up the parts of the brain

Forebrain: Diencephalon and cerebrum

Midbrain: Mesencephalon

Hindbrain: Cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata

Brainstem: Mesencephalon, pons, medulla oblongata

Spinal cord: Spinal cord, inferior to medulla oblongata

What is the grey and white matter

grey: cell bodies
White myelinated axons

In brain: white on inside for more direct neuronal pathway

In spinal cord: white on outside

CN 1: Olfactory nerve

SENSORY

Detects smell from olfactory area in nasal cavity

CN 2: Optic nerve

SENSORY

Carries visual info from retina to

CN 3: Oculomotor nerve

MOTOR

Controls intra and extra ocular muscles for eye movement

CN 4: Trochlear nerve

MOTOR

Controls 1 superior extra ocular muscle for eye movement

CN 5: Trigeminal nerve

SENSORY AND MOTOR

Sensory:
Faces, sinuses, teeth, gums, lips, palate

Motor:
Muscles of mastication

CN 6: Abducens nerve

MOTOR

Controls 1 lateral extra ocular muscle for eye movement

CN 7: Facial nerve

SENSORY AND MOTOR Sensory: Detects taste from anterior 2/3 of tongue Motor: Muscles of facial expression

CN 8: Vestibulocochlear nerve

SENSORY Responsible for hearing, cochlear branch, responsible for orientation and balance

CN 9: Glossopharyngeal nerve

SENSORY AND MOTOR Sensory: Detects taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue, sensation of pharynx, sinus, middle ear cavity Motor: Stylopharangeus muscle, paratoid gland

CN 10: Vagus nerve

SENSORY AND MOTOR Sensory: Pharynx, larynx, bronchial tree, lungs, heart, upper GI tract Motor: Palate, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchial tree, heart, upper GI tract

CN 11: Spinal accessory nerve

MOTOR Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles

CN 12: Hypoglossal nerve

MOTOR Intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue

What are the first 3 bulges of the neural tube and what do they become

Prosencephalon telencephalon diencephalon Mesencephalon mesencephalon Rhombencephalon metencephalon myelencephalon

What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum/telencephalon and what are they responsible for

Frontal: personality, behaviour, speech, movement Parietal: Touch, pain, temperature Occipital: Vision Temporal: hearing

What are nuclei when talking about the nervous system

Nuclei is an aggregation of cell bodies in the white matter (grey spots in white matter)

What is the diencephalon made up of

Thalamus hypothalamus epithalamus subthalamus inner part of brain associated with limbic system (emotional system)

What 3 parts is the mesencephalon (midbrain) made up of

colliculi tegmentum (inside) cerebral peduncles (outside)

What are the metencephalon and the myelencephalon of the rhombencephalon made up of and function for

Metencephalon: pons (regulates breathing) cerebellum (coordinates movement) Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata): Controls respiration from receptors, vomiting, coughing, sneezing

Outline the blood of the circle of willis

Receives blood from: 2 vertebral arteries (right and left) two internal carotid arteries (right and left) Supplies cerebrum by: anterior/ middle/ posterior cerebral artery supplies cerebellum by: superior/ anterior inferior/ posterior inferior cerebellar artery