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Spinal Cord Anatomy Study Guide

Learn about the spinal cord's structure, including its protective layers (meninges), internal organization of gray and white matter, and the role of cerebrospinal fluid. Understand the external anatomy, nerve roots, and the cauda equina.

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Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain

Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain

This material covers the major parts of the brain, the cranial meninges, the blood-brain barrier, and cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

  • Brain parts
  • Meninges
  • Dura mater
  • Arachnoid mater
  • Pia mater
  • Blood-brain barrier
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
  • Choroid plexuses
  • Ventricles
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Brain stem
  • Medulla oblongata
  • Pons

Functions of the Brainstem and Midbrain

The medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain contain nuclei and tracts that regulate vital functions, respiration, and sensory pathways.

  • Medulla oblongata
  • Vital brain functions
  • Pyramids
  • Decussation of pyramids
  • Cardiovascular center
  • Medullary rhythmicity area
  • Deglutition center
  • Gustatory nucleus
  • Vestibular nuclei
  • Vomiting center
  • Olive
  • Pons
  • Pneumotaxic area
  • Apneustic area
  • Respiratory center
  • Vestibulocochlear nerve
  • Cerebral peduncles
  • Tectum
  • Corpora quadrigemina
  • Superior colliculi

Anatomy and Function of the Cerebellum and Diencephalon

This content examines the anatomy and physiological functions of the cerebellum and the diencephalon, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

  • Cerebellum anatomy
  • Cerebellar cortex and white matter
  • Arbor vitae
  • Posture and balance regulation
  • Ataxia
  • Diencephalon components
  • Thalamus sensory relay
  • Hypothalamus homeostasis regulation
  • Infundibulum and pituitary gland connection

Anatomy of the Cerebral Cerebrum

The cerebral cortex consists of gray matter and white matter containing gyri, sulci, fissures, and lobes.

  • Gray matter
  • White matter
  • Cerebral cortex
  • Sulcus
  • Fissures
  • Longitudinal fissure
  • Frontal lobe
  • Occipital lobe
  • Temporal lobe
  • Association tracts
  • Commissural tracts
  • Projection tracts
  • Caudate nucleus
  • Lentiform nucleus
  • Globus pallidus

Basal Ganglia, Limbic System, and Cerebral Cortex

This content explores the functions of the basal ganglia, the emotional limbic system, and the cerebral cortex including hemispheric lateralization and speech areas.

  • Parkinson disease
  • Limbic system
  • Hippocampus
  • Cingulate gyrus
  • Fornix
  • Anterograde amnesia
  • Cerebral cortex
  • Hemispheric lateralization
  • Broca’s speech area
  • Wernicke’s area
  • Aphasia

Brain Pathologies

This material covers disease progression, brain abnormalities, and various neurological definitions including concussion, stroke, and cranial nerve functions.

  • Beta-amyloid plaques
  • Neurofibrillary tangles
  • Concussion
  • Contusion
  • Hematoma
  • Hypoxia
  • Laceration
  • Necrosis
  • Cerebrovascular accident
  • Transient Ischemic attack
  • Stroke
  • Agnosia
  • Apraxia
  • Aphasia
  • Stupor
  • Cranial nerves
  • Sensory neurons
  • Mixed neurons

Functions and Assessments of Cranial Nerves

Classification and Function of Cranial Nerves

This content details the sensory, motor, and mixed cranial nerves, including their specific functions, innervation of muscles, and clinical assessments.

  • Sensory cranial nerves
  • Motor cranial nerves
  • Mixed cranial nerves
  • Olfactory nerve (CN I)
  • Optic nerve (CN II)
  • Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
  • Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
  • Anosmia
  • Vision and rods and cones
  • Extrinsic and intrinsic eye muscles
  • Parasympathetic division
  • Proprioception

Cranial Nerves and Spinal Cord Anatomy

This content details the functions, branches, and clinical assessments of cranial nerves V through XII and the anatomy of the spinal cord.

  • Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
  • Facial nerve (CN VII)
  • Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
  • Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
  • Vagus nerve (CN X)
  • Accessory nerve (CN XI)
  • Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
  • Muscles of mastication
  • Corneal reflex
  • Lateral rectus muscle
  • Facial expression muscles
  • Equilibrium and hearing
  • Spinal cord anatomy
  • Conus medullaris
  • Cervical and lumbar enlargement
  • Filum terminale

Spinal Cord External and Internal Anatomy

This content details the spinal cord anatomy including the meninges, white matter columns, gray matter horns, and spinal tracts.

  • cauda equina
  • dura mater
  • arachnoid mater
  • pia mater
  • epidural space
  • subdural space
  • subarachnoid space
  • cerebrospinal fluid
  • gray matter
  • white matter
  • anterior horns
  • posterior horns
  • lateral gray horns
  • central canal
  • anterior white commissure
  • white matter columns
  • sensory tracts
  • posterior root ganglion
  • anterior root

Structure and Function of Spinal Nerves

Spinal nerves connect the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system through roots, rami, and plexuses to provide sensory and motor innervation.

  • spinal nerves
  • ventral root
  • rootlets
  • peripheral nervous system
  • central nervous system
  • cervical nerves
  • thoracic nerves
  • lumbar nerves
  • sacral nerves
  • coccygeal nerves
  • cauda equina
  • dorsal primary ramus
  • ventral primary ramus
  • rami communicantes
  • meningeal branch
  • plexuses
  • cervical plexus
  • lumbar plexus

Integration, Reflexes, and Autonomic Nervous System

Sensory systems provide input to the central nervous system where interneurons integrate signals to initiate responses through reflex arcs and the autonomic nervous system.

  • Spinal cord tracts
  • Descending pathways
  • Reflex arc components
  • Monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes
  • Somatic and visceral reflexes
  • Stretch reflex
  • Tendon reflex
  • Flexor and crossed extensor reflexes
  • Plantar flexion reflex
  • Babinski sign
  • Autonomic nervous system organization
  • Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
  • Visceral sensory and motor neurons

Autonomic Nervous System Motor Innervation

The autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions utilizing preganglionic and postganglionic neurons to release acetylcholine or norepinephrine.

  • Sympathetic division
  • Parasympathetic division
  • Preganglionic neurons
  • Postganglionic neurons
  • Sympathetic trunk ganglia
  • Prevertebral ganglia
  • White rami communicantes
  • Autonomic ganglia
  • Cholinergic neurons
  • Adrenergic neurons
  • Acetylcholine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Dual innervation
  • Divergent projection pattern

Autonomic Nervous System Neurotransmitters and Reflexes

Autonomic Neurotransmitters and Receptor Types

This content examines neurotransmitters and receptors within autonomic motor pathways, including cholinergic and adrenergic receptor activity.

  • Neurotransmitters
  • Acetylcholine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine
  • Cholinergic receptors
  • Nicotinic receptors
  • Adrenergic receptors
  • Alpha receptors
  • Beta receptors
  • Agonists
  • Antagonists
  • Sympathetic division
  • Parasympathetic division
  • Depolarization
  • Hyperpolarization
  • Beta blockers
  • Alpha blockers

Autonomic Nervous System and Reflexes

The autonomic nervous system regulates body organs through sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions and autonomic reflex arcs.

  • Dual innervation
  • Autonomic tone
  • Sympathetic division
  • Parasympathetic division
  • Fight or flight response
  • Rest and digest activities
  • Autonomic reflex arc
  • Hypothalamus
  • Preganglionic neuron
  • Postganglionic neuron
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Adrenergic and cholinergic receptors

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