Anatomy of the Spinal Cord
What fluid flows in the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord?
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
The spinal cord functions as _____ between the brain and the body?
A means of communication, a highway, or a transportation center for impulses.
How many spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs of spinal nerves
True/False: A reflex is a voluntary motor response to a stimulus.
False; A reflex is an involuntary response
Name the three spinal cord meninges (from superficial to deep).
1) Dura mater
2) Arachnoid mater
3) Pia mater
What is the purpose of the cervical enlargement?
The cervical enlargement provides nerves to the upper limbs.
True/False: The ventral (anterior) roots are composed of motor axons.
True
What are the 3 commonly tested reflexes?
The patellar, achilles, and plantar reflexes.
What are the components of white matter? What about gray matter?
White matter is composed of myelinated axons. Gray matter is composed of unmyelinated axons, dendrites, cell bodies, and neuroglial cells.
What 3 functions does the cerebrospinal fluid serve?
The cerebrospinal fluid provides protection, nourishment, and waste removal for the brain.
False; The filum terminale is the extension of the spinal cord that attaches to the coccyx. It suspends the spinal cord in CSF.
What is the purpose of a reflex?
A reflex is often the body's attempt to avoid danger or painful damage.
Which spinal cord structure resembles a horse tail due to the feathering of spinal nerves at the end of the cord?
How are impulses sent throughout the spinal cord?
Conduction of impulses via an action potential
Which branch of spinal nerves form a plexus?
the Anterior Rami Branches
What are the five components of the reflex arc?
1) Receptor
2) Sensory Neuron
3) Integration Center
4) Motor Neuron
5) Effector
Between which vertebrae is the conus medullaris located?
Between vertebrae L1 and L2
What is the function of denticulate ligaments?
Denticulate ligaments are extensions that anchor the spinal cord laterally inside the vertebral canal.
Fill in the number of spinal nerves within each region:
Cervical: C _ - C _
Thoracic: T _ - T _
Lumbar: L _ - L _
Sacrum: S _ - S _
Coccyx: __________
Cervical: C1 - C8
Thoracic: T1 - T12
Lumbar: L1 - L5
Sacrum: S1 - S5
Coccyx: Coccygeal nerve
Give specific reasons in which an individual might show a delay or intensity change in their reflexes.
Neurological disorders or neuropathy due to diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism.