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Protective structures:
Vertebral column and the
meninges provide protect the spinal
cord and provide physical stability.
a. Dura mater, b. Arachnoid, c. Pia
mater
Epidural space, subdural space and
subarachnoid space
Spinal Cord Anatomy
External Anatomy of the
Spinal Cord
Two enlargements: cervical and
lumbar
Conus medullaris
Filum terminale
Cauda equina
Posterior (dorsal root) &
anterior(ventral) root
Posterior (dorsal root) ganglion
Spinal nerve
External Anatomy of
Spinal Cord
Internal Anatomy of the
Spinal Cord
Anterior median fissure
Posterior median sulcus
Gray and white commissures
Central canal
Anterior, posterior & lateral gray
horns
Anterior, posterior & lateral white
columns
Internal Anatomy of
Spinal Cord
Internal Anatomy of
Spinal Cord
Spinal Nerves
31 pairs; mixed nerves.
Cervical (C1-C8), thoracic
(T1-T12),
lumbar (L1-L5), sacral (S1-S5) and
coccygeal.
Formed by the
anterior rami of C1-
C5.
Phrenic nerves-
important nerves
from the cervical
plexuses.
Brachial plexus
Formed by the
anterior rami of C5-
C8 & T1.
Supplies the
shoulders and upper
limbs.
Roots → trunks →
divisions → cords →
nerves.
Brachial plexus
continued
Important nerves that
arise from the
brachial plexuses are
Axillary nerve
Musculocutaneous
nerve
Radial nerve
Median nerve
Ulnar nerve
Injuries to the Brachial
Plexus
Erb-Duchenne palsy
(waiter’s tip)- loss of
sensation along the
lateral side of the
arm.
Wrist drop- inability
to extend the wrist
and fingers.
Injuries to the Brachial
Plexus
Median nerve palsy- numbness,
tingling and pain in the palm and
fingers.
Ulnar nerve palsy- inability to abduct
or adduct fingers
Winged scapula- the arm cannot be
abducted beyond the horizontal
position.
Injuries to the Brachial
Plexus
Lumbar Plexus
Formed by the
anterior rami of
L1-L4.
Supplies the
anterolateral
abdominal wall,
external genitals,
and part of the
lower limbs.
Femoral nerves,
obturator nerves.
Sacral Plexus
Formed by the
anterior rami of
L4-L5 and S1-S4.
Supplies the
buttocks,
perineum, and
lower limbs.
Gives rise to the
largest nerve in
the body- the
sciatic nerve.
Distribution of Nerves from
the Lumbar and Sacral
Plexuses
Coccygeal Plexus
Formed by the
anterior rami of
S4-S5 and the
coccygeal nerves.
Supplies a small
area of skin in the
coccygeal region.
Dermatome
Dermatome is the
area of the skin
that provides
sensory input to
the CNS via one
pair of spinal
nerves or the
trigeminal nerve.
Sensory and Motor
Tracts
The name of
the tract often
indicates its
location in the
white matter
and where it
begins and
ends.
The white
matter
contains both
sensory and
motor tracts.
Reflex Arc
The pathway followed by nerve
impulses that produce a reflex is a
reflex arc.
A reflex arc includes:
a. sensory receptor
b. sensory neuron
c. integrating center
d. motor neuron
e. effector
Reflex Arc
The Stretch Reflex
Polysynaptic reflex.
Control muscle tension by causing
muscle relaxation when muscle
tension is great.
Sensory receptors- Golgi tendon
organs.
↑ Tension applied to the tendon →
tendon organ stimulation → nerve
impulse → spinal cord →motor neuron
causes muscle relaxation and
Tendon Reflex
Flexor (Withdrawal)
Reflex
Polysynaptic reflex
Ipsilateral.
Stepping on a tack(stimulus) →
nerve impulse → activation of the
interneuron → activation of the motor
neuron →muscle contraction
→withdrawal of the leg.
Flexor (Withdrawal)
Reflex
Crossed Extensor Reflex
Polysynaptic reflex.
Contralateral reflex.
Contraction of muscles that extend
joints in the opposite limb in response
to a painful stimulus.
Stepping on a tack (stimulus) → nerve
impulse →activation of several
interneurons → activation of the motor
neurons → muscle contraction causing
flexion of the leg stepping on a tack &
extension on the opposite side.
Crossed Extensor Reflex
End of Chapter 13