Spinal Cord - Part 1

Foramen Magnum

A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord

A major part of the central nervous system which conducts sensory and motor nerve impulses to and from the brain.

Spinal Rootlets

Arise from each segment on each side and combine to form spinal nerves at level of intervertebral foramina.

C8

Cervical spinal nerve that exits below the the C7 vertebra.

Ventral Root

Contains axons of motor neurons.

Dorsal Root

Contains axons of sensory neurons.

Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)

Contains cell bodies of sensory nerve fibers.

• Dorsal Root • Ventral Root

Each segment of the spinal cord give rise to a pair of roots: • _____ • _____

Filum Terminale

Fibrous extension of the pia and glial fibers from the tip of the conus medullaris and attaches to the distal dural sac. It anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.

5 Pairs (L1-L5)

Number of of spinal nerves in the lumbar segment.

8 Pairs (C1-C8)

Number of spinal nerves in the cervical segment.

5 Pairs (S1-S5)

Number of spinal nerves in the sacral segment.

12 Pairs (T1-T12)

Number of spinal nerves in the thoracic segment.

1 Pair

Numer of spinal nerves in the coccygeal segment.

Cervical Segment

Of all the vertebral segments, the _____ segment consist of the spinal nerves coming out above the vertebra.

C5-T1

Segments that make up the cervical enlargment area.

L2-S3

Segments that make up the lumbar enlargment area.

Radicular Artery

Small branches from the intercostal, vertebral, lumbar, and lateral sacral arteries that supply the roots of the spinal nerves and their meninges.

Denticulate Ligament

Stabilize (anchor) the spinal cord within the vertebral canal.

Cauda Equina

Structure that resembles a "horse's tail" or a fan of nerve fibers below the spinal cord.

Enlargements

The _____ of the spinal cord contain an increased number of lower motor neurons (LMNs) and provide origins of the nerve of the upper and lower extremities.

Ventral (Anterior) & Dorsal (Posterior) Rootlets

The denticulate ligaments run between what two structures?

Posterolateral Artery

The dorsal horns (grey mater) receive blood supply from the _____ artery.

Filum Terminale Externum (Dural)

The extradural component of the filum terminale internum.

Arachnoid Mater

The lateral protion of the denticulate ligament is derived from the _____.

Pia Mater

The medial portion of the denticulate ligament is derived from the _____.

Dura Mater of Spinal Cord

The outermost and toughest meningeal layer covering the spinal cord. Is a continuation of the mater found in the brain.

Medulla

The spinal cord begins at the _____.

Conus Medullaris

The spinal cord ends at the _____.

• Cervical Enlargement • Lumbar Enlargement

The spinal cord widens laterally in two regions: • _____ • _____

• Dura Mater • Arachnoid Mater • Pia Mater

The three layers of the spinal nerve (superficial to deep): • _____ • _____ • _____

Anterior Spinal Artery

The ventral horns (grey mater) receive blood supply from the _____ artery.

Cervical to Thoracic

The vertebral segments at which the denticulate ligaments are found in.

Corona

The white mater in the spinal cord receive blood supply from the _____ arteries.

21 Pairs

Total number of denticulate ligament pairs.

Great Ventral Radicular Artery (Artery of Adamkiewicz)

Largest artery of the radiculary arteries. Enters the spinal cord between segements T8 and L4.

Intervertebral Foramina

Lateral openings between adjacent vertebrae for spinal nerves to exit.

L1-L2

In adults, the spinal cord ends at the _____ level of the vertebral column.

Filum Terminale Internum (Pial)

Upper three quarters of the filum terminale; covered by the spinal dura and arachnoid meninges.