ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY WITH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

LECTURER: Dr. Sarah De Luna

SCHOOL OF NURSING, ALLIED-HEALTH, AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, BAGUIO CITY

MODULE 3 UNIT 4 PART 2: The Spinal Cord and Nerves

The Spinal Cord & Spinal Nerves

Together with brain forms the CNS
Functions
1. spinal cord reflexes – fast involuntary sequences of
actions in response to stimuli
2. integration (summation of inhibitory and excitatory)
nerve impulses
3. highway for upward and downward travel of sensory
(ascending) and motor (descending) information through
nerve tracts:
Spinal Cord Protection
1. Bone - vertebral column, spinal column, C1-S5 External Anatomy of Spinal Cord
▪ Flattened cylinder
▪ 16-18 Inches long & 3/4 inch diameter
▪ Begins as extension of medulla oblongata
▪ In adult ends at L2
▪ In newborn ends at L4
▪ Growth of cord stops at age 5
1. Cervical enlargement
▪ upper limbs
2. Connective Tissue - Meninges
2. Lumbar enlargement
A. Dura mater – dense irregular CT tube
▪ lower limbs
▪ Epidural space filled with fat padding and network of veins
▪ Subdural space filled with interstitial fluid
B. Arachnoid = spider web of collagen fibers
▪ Subarachnoid space = CSF
C. Pia mater- thin layer covers BV
▪ denticulate ligaments hold in place

Inferior End of Spinal Cord

3. Cerebrospinal Fluid
 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY WITH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
LECTURER: Dr. Sarah De Luna
SCHOOL OF NURSING, ALLIED-HEALTH, AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, BAGUIO CITY

MODULE 3 UNIT 4 PART 2: The Spinal Cord and Nerves

1. Conus medullaris ▪ Smaller spinal nerves

▪ cone-shaped end of spinal cord ▪ Cervical enlargement = large number of spinal nerves
serving upper body and arms
2. Filum terminale
▪ Rootlets are very close to the spinal cord – merge together
▪ thread-like extension of pia mater to become spinal nerve roots - become dorsal or ventral
▪ stabilizes spinal cord in canal roots that come together to become spinal nerves

3. Caudae equinae (horse’s tail)

▪ dorsal & ventral roots of lowest spinal nerves
4. Spinal segment
▪ area of cord from which each pair of spinal nerves arises

Thoracic Spinal Cord

▪ Middle region spinal cord
▪ T1 -T12
▪ No enlargement

Lumbar Spinal Cord

▪ Conus medullaris
▪ Filum terminale
▪ Cauda equina
▪ Lumbar enlargement
▪ Subarachnoid space between L4-5 ideal for sampling CSF
during lumbar puncture

Cervical Spinal Cord

▪ Most superior part of the spinal cord (C1 - C8)
 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY WITH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
LECTURER: Dr. Sarah De Luna
SCHOOL OF NURSING, ALLIED-HEALTH, AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, BAGUIO CITY

MODULE 3 UNIT 4 PART 2: The Spinal Cord and Nerves

Diagnosis & Treatment

Spinal Tap or Lumbar Puncture

Technique
▪ long needle into subarachnoid space
▪ safe from L3 to L5
Purpose
▪ sampling CSF for diagnosis
▪ injection of antibiotics, anesthetics or chemotherapy
▪ measurement of CSF pressure
Internal Anatomy of Spinal Cord
▪ The internal anatomy of the
spinal cord allows sensory and
motor information to be
processed in an organized way.
▪ Central canal
▪ Gray Matter
▪ White Matter