Spinal cord, spinal nerve, plexuses

Question 1

List the ligaments within the vertebral column from anterior to posterior.

Answer 1

1. Anterior longitudinal ligament
2. Posterior longitudinal ligament
3. Ligamentum flavum
4. Interspinous ligament
5. Supraspinous ligament

Question 2

Where do we find intervertebral disks in the vertebral column?

Answer 2

C2 - C3 and L5 - S1

Question 3

What structures make up the intervertebral disk?

Answer 3

1. Annulus fibrosis

2. Nucleus pulposis

Question 4

Dorsal roots carry what kind of nerve fibers?

Answer 4

Afferent (sensory) fibers

Question 5

Ventral roots carry what kind of nerve fibers?

Answer 5

Efferent (motor) fibers

Question 6

Lumbar plexus consists of what nerves?

Answer 6

Femoral n.

Obturator n.

Question 7

Sacral plexus exits from what vertebrae?

Answer 7

L4 - S4

Question 8

List the nerves that come from the sciatic plexus.

Answer 8

• Sciatic n. (common fibular and tibial)
• Superior gluteal n.
• Inferior gluteal n.
• Posterior femoral cutaneous n.

Question 9

What is the outermost covering of the spinal cord?

Answer 9

Dura mater

Question 10

What structure is a continuation of dura mater to anchor the spinal cord to the coccyx?

Answer 10

Filum terminale externum or the coccygeal ligament

Question 11

Dura mater forms what structure as it travels along the dorsal and ventral nerve roots through the intervertebral foramina?

Answer 11

dural root sleeves

Question 12

Where does the dural sac end?

Answer 12

S2

Question 13

What type of tissue is arachnoid mater made of?

Answer 13

Fibrous and elastic fibers

Question 14

What structures are enclosed by arachnoid mater in the subarachnoid space?

Answer 14

Spinal cord
Spinal nerve roots
Spinal ganglia
CSF

Question 15

True or False:

Arachnoid space is pierced in a lumbar puncture.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

True or False:

Subdural space exists between dura mater and arachnoid mater.

Answer 16

False; it is only a potential space

Question 17

What structures does pia mater cover in the spinal cord?

Answer 17

CLOSELY follows entire spinal cord

DIRECTLY covers spinal nerve roots and spinal vessels

Question 18

Filum terminale (internus) is an extension of what membrane?

Answer 18

Pia mater

Question 19

What are denticulate ligaments?

Answer 19

Specializations of pia mater

Ligaments that form a longitudinal shelf separating dorsal and ventral root flats

Question 20

How many pairs of denticulations are there?

Answer 20

21 pairs

Question 21

What is the function of denticulate ligaments?

Answer 21

To suspend the spinal cord in the subarachnoid space

Question 22

What level of the vertebral column is the conus medullaris located at?

Answer 22

L2

Question 23

What structure anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?

Answer 23

Filum terminale

Question 24

What is the cauda equina?

Answer 24

Collection of nerve roots coming from the end of the spinal cord, located within the lumbar cistern

Question 25

What is the lumbar cistern?

Answer 25

Subarachnoid space filled up with CSF distal to the conus medullaris

Question 26

Where does the lumber cistern terminate?

Answer 26

S2 extends from L2 to S2

Question 27

Where would a lumbar puncture be performed?

Answer 27

Above or below L4 in the region of the cauda equina

Question 28

Ventral rootlets contain what type of axons?

Answer 28

1. Somatic lower motor neuron | 2. Preganglionic sympathetic axon

Question 29

Dorsal rootets contain what type of axons?

Answer 29

Afferent neurons

Question 30

What is located in the dorsal root ganglion?

Answer 30

Peudounipolar cell bodies

Question 31

Spinal nerves are mixed nerves that contain what functional components?

Answer 31

1. GSE 2. GVE 3. GSA 4. GVA

Question 32

What nerve fibers do ventral roots carry?

Answer 32

Motor fibers (somatic and visceral)

Question 33

What nerve fibers do dorsal roots carry?

Answer 33

Sensory fibers

Question 34

Where is the location of the dorsal root ganglion?

Answer 34

In the intervertebral foramen on the dorsal root

Question 35

What functional component has fibers that transmit motor impulses from spinal cord to skeletal muscles?

Answer 35

GSE

Question 36

What functional component has fibers that transmit motor impulses from spinal cord to smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands?

Answer 36

GVE

Question 37

What functional component has fibers that transmit exteroceptive and proprioceptive impulses from body to spinal cord?

Answer 37

GSA

Question 38

What functional component has fibers that transmit introceptive impulses from the viscera to spinal cord?

Answer 38

GVA

Question 39

What is the significance of the attachment of the posterior longitudinal ligament to the discs?

Answer 39

Although this ligament helps reinforce the posterior aspect of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, it thins laterally. Therefore, herniations are likely occur in the posterolateral direction