Spinal Cord Basics
The primary function of the spinal cord?
Relaying information between brain and body
This direction carries sensory information to the brain
ascending
Gray matter primarily contains these
Neuron cell bodies
Nerve fibers are gathered together in bundles called
fascicles
Mixed nerves contain these two types of fibers?
Motor and sensory fibers
The spinal cord ends at this vertebral level in adults.
L1 - L2
The spinothalamic tract carries these sensations
pain and temperature
White matter primarily contains these
Myelinated axons (bundle of axons)
The thumb corresponds to this dermatome
C6
The brachial plexus supplies this body region?
Shoulders and arms
This bundle of nerve roots below L1 - L2 is called?
Cauda equina
The corticospinal tract is responsible for this
voluntary motor movement
Nerve root that carries motor information
Anterior nerve root
Loss of sensation on the big toe suggest injury at this level
L5
The femoral nerve comes from this plexus
Lumbar plexus
There are this many pairs of spinal nerves?
31 Pairs
This tract carries vibration and deep pressure
Dorsal column
Nerve root that carries sensory information
Posterior nerve root
Spinal nerves branch to form networks called
plexuses
The sciatic nerve comes from this plexus
Sacral plexus
This structure carries motor information out of the spinal cord.
Ventral root
Crossing from one side to the other in the spinal cord is called
decussation
What is in the Central canal
Nerve fibers are ______ encased by connective tissues
Axons
The phrenic nerve arises from this region
Cervical plexus (C3 - C5)