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Anatomy And Physiology Chapter 13--The Spinal Cord
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
55
Anatomy
Undergraduate 2
03/19/2013

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Term
The gray matter of the cord
Definition
is the site for integratio of postsynaptic potentials IPSPs and EPSPs
Term
The white matter of the cord
Definition
contains major sensory and motor tracts to and from the brain.
Term
The spinal cord is protected by?
Definition
The bony vertebral column and the spinal meninges
Term
Spinal meninges
Definition
Dura Mater (outer, tough), Arachnoid Mater (Middle, contains CSF), Pia Mater (inner, delicate and thin, filled with blood vessels that supply nutrients to the cord)
Term
Epidural Space
Definition
runs between the dura mater and the ligamentum flacus
Term
Subdural Space
Definition
lies between the dura and arachnoid
Term
Denticulate Ligaments
Definition
The pia mater has 21 pairs of denticulate ligaments which attach it to the arachnoid and dura maters. the ligaments provide stablity for the spinal cord against sudden shock and displacement within the vertebral column
Term
Filum terminale
Definition
an extension of the pia mater that extends inferiorly and blends with the arachnoid and dura to anchor the spinal cord to the coccyx.
Term
Cauda Equina
Definition
are the roots of the lower spinal nerves that angle down alongside the filum terminale
Term
Cervical Enlargement
Definition
correlates with the sensory input and motor output of the upper extremities
Term
Lumbar Enlargement
Definition
handles motor output and sensory input to and from the legs
Term
Root
Definition
bundle of axons
Term
Dorsal Root
Definition
(posterior) contains only sensory axons, which conduct nerve impulses from sensory receptors in the skin, muscles and internal organs into the CNS (cell bodies on the outside)
Term
Ventral Root
Definition
(Anterior) contains axons of motor neurons, which conduct nerve impulses drom the CNS to the effectors (cell bodies on the inside)
Term
Epidural
Definition
Epidural Anesthesia is given to women about to into labor. A needle is placed between the bones of the posterior spine until it just pentrates to the ligamentum flavum yet remains superficial to the dura mater. Provides pain relief
Term
Lumbar Puncture
Definition
A needle is place in subarachnoid place to withdraw CSF or to introduce a drug. CSF can diagnose diseases, or it can decrease pressure
Term
site of lumbar puncture
Definition
Most lumbar punctures are done in between the 3rd and 4th (or 4th and 5th) lumbar vertebrae
Term
White Matter of the Cord (outside)
Definition
consists of a million nerve fibers which transit electrical info between the limbs, trunk, and organs of the body, and the brain.
Term
Anterior gray horn (not root) (ventral)
Definition
consists of somatic motor neurons
Term
Posterior Gray horn (dorsal)
Definition
consists of autonomic and somatic sensory nuclei. It is also the site of synapse between 1st order sensory neurons coming in the periphery and 2nd order neurons which either ascend in the cord or exit back out the parts of the reflex arc
Term
lateral gray horns
Definition
found only in the thoracic, upper lumbar, and sacral segements of the cord. They contain cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons. Some of these fibers ascend outside the dura but close to the cord to supply sympathetic innervation to the head. Other travels in sympathetic trunks to the organs and glands in the thorax, ab, and pelvis
Term
Central Canal
Definition
extends the entire length of the spinal cord and is filled with CSF
Term
Tract
Definition
a bundle of neuronal axons that are all located in a specific area of the cord and all traveling to the same place
Term
Sensory Tracts
Definition
Ascending, to the brain
Term
Motor Tracts
Definition
Desending, away from the brain to the cord
Term
Spinothamalmic tract
Definition
Starts in spine, goes to thalamus, hence its an afferent tract. Ot transmits sensations of pain, warmth, coolness, itching, tickling, deep pressure, and crude touch
Term
Corticospinal
Definition
From cortex to spine, hence its efferent
Term
posterior columns
Definition
are afferent tracts the convey nerve impulses for discriminaitve touch, light pressure, vibration, and concious proprioception (awareness of tendon and joint position in space and in their relative movements)
Term
The lateral and anteror corticospinal tracts
Definition
are major pathways for carrying signals from the cerebral cortex that result in voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.
Term
Dermatone
Definition
is an area of skin that is innervated by a single spinal nerve, indicated by the letters and number of a particular segmental nerve
Term
Important Dermatones
Definition
C6/C7-- thumb and index finger
T4- nipple line
t10-- umbilicus
L1-L5--lower extremities
Term
Transection
Definition
means that ascending and desending tracts are partially or completely severed. If it occurs paralysis or even death can occur
Term
Spinal Nerves
Definition
are the paths of communication between the spinal cord and specific regions of the body. Nerves are arranged in fasciles surrounded by a perineurium, with the entire nerve sheathed by a CT epineurium
Term
How many spinal nerves are there?
Definition
31 left-right pairs of spinal nerves emerge from the cord at regular intervals (called segments). Except for the first cervical pair the spinal nerves leave the vertebral column from the intervertebral foramen between adjoining vertebrae – the first pair leaves between the
skull and the first cervical vertebrae .
Cervical – 8 pairs, C1-C8
Thoracic – 12 pairs, T1-T12
Lumbar – 5 pairs, L1-L5
Sacral - 5 pairs, S1-S5
Coccygeal – 1 nerve pair
Term
The 3 branches of spinal nerves?
Definition
Anterior Ramus, Posterior Ramus, and Rami COmmunicantes (connections to the sympatheic ganglia)
Term
Anterior Rami
Definition
may travel alone, or they can join together and form plexus of nerves, There are a huge # of plexuses, all formed from the anterior rami of spinal nerves, and all located anterior to the spine
Term
Types of plexuses
Definition
Cervical Plexus, Brachial Plexus, Celiac (solar plexus), lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, and coccygeal plexus
Term
Cervical Plexus
Definition
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of C1-C5, serves the head, neck, and diaphragm.
The phrenic nerves arise from the cervical plexus to supply the major muscle of
respiration (“C3,4,5 keep
the diaphragm alive”).
Term
Brachial Plexus
Definition
The brachial plexus is formed by the anterior rami of C5-C8 and T1. It is divided into roots → trunks → divisions → cords → nerves.
The nerves from the brachial plexus supply the shoulders and upper limbs.Some of the major nerves that arise from the brachial plexuses are the:
musculocutaneous
nerve
axillary nerve
radial nerve
median nerve
ulnar nerve
long thoracic nerve
Term
Brachial Plexus--injury
Definition
Injuries to the brachial plexus are not uncommon:
Erb’s palsy is a paralysis of the arm that most often occurs as an infant's head and neck are pulled toward the side at the same time as the shoulders pass through the birth canal.
Injuries to the brachial plexus or peripheral nerves:
Median nerve injury, either at the plexus or occurring more distally, results in numbness, tingling and pain in the palm and fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type of median nerve injury that is seen in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist like typing on a computer
keyboard.
Term
Ulnar Nerve
Definition
The ulnar nerve is the largest unprotected (by muscle or bone) nerve in the human body. It emerges from the medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus to supply the medial half of the hand. Striking the medial epicondyle of the humerus where the nerve is exposed
is referred to as bumping one’s “funny bone”.
Damage to the nerve leads to
abnormal sensations in the 4–5th
fingers and an inability to abduct
or adduct the little and ring fingers.
Term
Thoracic Nerve
Definition
The long thoracic nerve emerges from the cords of the brachial plexus to supply the serratus anterior muscle.
Because of its long, relatively superficial course, it is susceptible to injury either through direct trauma or stretch of the plexus. Injury (resulting in a “winged scapula” in which the arm cannot be abducted beyond the horizontal position) has been reported in almost all sports.
Term
Lumbar Plexus
Definition
The lumbar plexus is formed by the anterior rami of L1-L4 to supply the anterolateral abdominal wall, external genitalia, and part of the lower limbs.
The femoral and obturator nerves come from the lumbar plexus.
Term
Sacral Plexus
Definition
The sacral plexus is formed by the anterior rami of L4-L5 and S1-S4. It supplies the buttocks, perineum, and part of the lower limbs.
It gives rise to the largest
nerve in the body, the
sciatic nerve.
Term
coccygeal plexus
Definition
The coccygeal plexus is formed by the anterior rami of S4-S5 and the coccygeal nerves. It is a small plexus from which the anococcygeal nerve exits to supply a small area of skin in the
coccygeal region.
Term
Nerve Terminology Summary
Definition
Rootlets  roots (ant. and post.)  segmental nerves 
anterior ramus  form large nerve plexuses
posterior ramus
rami communicantes
Term
Reflex
Definition
A reflex is a fast, involuntary response to a stimulus. In a spinal reflex the integration takes place in the spinal cord, not the brain.
Spinal reflexes can be monosynaptic (sensory neuron with motor neuron) or polysynaptic (involving interneurons), and they can go in and out on the same, or on the opposite side of the cord.
Term
reflex arc
Definition
a pathway that a nerve impulse follows to produce a reflex. Components of a reflex arc include a sensory receptor and a sensory neuron, an integrating center inside the cord, an exiting motor neuron, and an effector (which is usually some
sort of muscle or a gland which makes something move or secrete “involuntarily”).
Term
Sensory receptors in the Reflex Arc
Definition
Sensory receptors involved in reflex arcs are specifically adapted to perceive the stimulus and initiate an impulse.The motor neuron becomes stimulated without any processing in the brain (that comes later)… first you kick the person examining you (patellar reflex), then you feel the tap of the hammer!
Term
ipsilateral
Definition
all neurons and effectors on the same side of the body
Term
contralateral
Definition
the receptors and afferent neurons are on the opposite
side of the body as the efferent
neurons and effectors.
Term
crossed-extensor reflex
Definition
In addition to initiating the flexor reflex that causes you to
withdraw the limb, the pain impulses from stepping on the tack also
initiate a crossed-extensor reflex to help you maintain your balance.
Term
Patellar Reflex
Definition
in which the leg extends in response to stretch of the patellar tendon. This reflex can be blocked by damage in the corticospinal tracts from diabetes, neurosyphilis, or damage to the lumbar region of the spinal cord.
Term
The Achilles reflex
Definition
causes contraction of the calf when a force is applied to the Achilles tendon. It is absent after damage to the lower cord or lumbosacral plexus.
Term
Babinski, or plantar flexion reflex
Definition
is considered normal in adults if they flex (curl) the big toe when the sole of the foot is stimulated. If the sole of the foot is stimulated and the patient extends the big toe, it would indicate damage in the corticospinal tract.Infants normally extend their toes when stimulated in this way; so an “abnormal Babinski” does not indicate any disease or damage in this age group.
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