Lab 1: External Anatomy of the CNS What spinal cord levels comprise the brachial plexus?

C5-T1 A 22 y/o male presents following a MVA with the CC of left hand numbness. He is told he has carpal tunnel syndrome. He later develops left biceps weakness and atrophy and weakness in his left hand. Where is his lesion? C6- median nerve symptoms @ thumb side of hand. Biceps reflex C5/C6. A 40 y/o F presents for a check-up. Her left hand is held in and abnormal posture- her 4th and 5th digits are partially flexed and there is atrophy between all metacarpals. She also has (on the left), ptosis and miosis. T1- affects the sympathetic from T1 (miosis/ ptosis) and also the interossei in the hand (and other ulnar innervated muscles) What spinal cord levels comprise the lumbosacral plexus? L2-S2 The sacral spinal cord is most closely associated with what vertebrae? T12-L2 How many spinal nerves are there? 31 pairs of spinal nerves (one pair per segment) At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate in an adult? What is the clinical significance of that fact? L2; Spinal roots and nerves of the lower segments must traverse longer distances to reach the appropriate vertebral foramen. (Cervical- roots run horizontally, thoracic- roots descend 2-3 segments, lumbar roots descend several segments. This results in the formation of the cauda equine, which is a bundle of dorsal and ventral roots descending from the lumbar and sacral segments of the spinal cord to the appropriate intervertebral foramina. Because the spinal cord ends at L2, lumbar punctures can be done between L4/L5 in an adult (below conus medullaris). What are the signs and symptoms of an injury to the posterior roots at C5-T1? Posterior roots carry sensory information back to the spinal cord (GSA/GVA). For C5-T1, sensation would be lost on part of the shoulder the upper and lower arm and the handall of the areas that send sensory information to the spinal cord from C5-T1. Motor function in these areas would remain normal.