Term
| The gray matter of the cord |
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Definition
| is the site for integratio of postsynaptic potentials IPSPs and EPSPs |
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Term
| The white matter of the cord |
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Definition
| contains major sensory and motor tracts to and from the brain. |
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Term
| The spinal cord is protected by? |
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Definition
| The bony vertebral column and the spinal meninges |
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Term
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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) |
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Term
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Definition
| runs between the dura mater and the ligamentum flacus |
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Term
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Definition
| lies between the dura and arachnoid |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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Definition
| are the roots of the lower spinal nerves that angle down alongside the filum terminale |
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Term
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Definition
| correlates with the sensory input and motor output of the upper extremities |
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Term
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Definition
| handles motor output and sensory input to and from the legs |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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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) |
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Term
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Definition
| (Anterior) contains axons of motor neurons, which conduct nerve impulses drom the CNS to the effectors (cell bodies on the inside) |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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Definition
| Most lumbar punctures are done in between the 3rd and 4th (or 4th and 5th) lumbar vertebrae |
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Term
| White Matter of the Cord (outside) |
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Definition
| consists of a million nerve fibers which transit electrical info between the limbs, trunk, and organs of the body, and the brain. |
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Term
| Anterior gray horn (not root) (ventral) |
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Definition
| consists of somatic motor neurons |
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Term
| Posterior Gray horn (dorsal) |
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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 |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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Definition
| extends the entire length of the spinal cord and is filled with CSF |
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Term
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Definition
| a bundle of neuronal axons that are all located in a specific area of the cord and all traveling to the same place |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Desending, away from the brain to the cord |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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Definition
| From cortex to spine, hence its efferent |
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Term
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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) |
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Term
| The lateral and anteror corticospinal tracts |
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Definition
| are major pathways for carrying signals from the cerebral cortex that result in voluntary movement of skeletal muscles. |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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Definition
C6/C7-- thumb and index finger
T4- nipple line
t10-- umbilicus
L1-L5--lower extremities |
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Term
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Definition
| means that ascending and desending tracts are partially or completely severed. If it occurs paralysis or even death can occur |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
| How many spinal nerves are there? |
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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 |
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Term
| The 3 branches of spinal nerves? |
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Definition
| Anterior Ramus, Posterior Ramus, and Rami COmmunicantes (connections to the sympatheic ganglia) |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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Definition
| Cervical Plexus, Brachial Plexus, Celiac (solar plexus), lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, and coccygeal plexus |
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Term
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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”). |
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Term
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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 |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
| Nerve Terminology Summary |
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Definition
Rootlets roots (ant. and post.) segmental nerves
anterior ramus form large nerve plexuses
posterior ramus
rami communicantes |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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”). |
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Term
| Sensory receptors in the Reflex Arc |
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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! |
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Term
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Definition
| all neurons and effectors on the same side of the body |
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Term
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Definition
the receptors and afferent neurons are on the opposite
side of the body as the efferent
neurons and effectors. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
| Babinski, or plantar flexion reflex |
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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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