Time/Date Anatomy of the Spinal Cord 1.

Time/Date Anatomy of the Spinal Cord 1. Complete the following statements by inserting the proper anatomical terms in the answer blanks. The superior boundary of the spinal cord is at the level of the foramen magnum of the skull, and its inferior boundary The collection of spinal nerves traveling in the vertebral canal below is at the level of vertebra the terminus of the spinal cord is called the 2. Using the terms below, correctly identify on the diagram all structures provided with leader lines. ventral (anterior) horn dorsal root of spinal nerve spinal nerve arachnoid mater dura mater ventral ramus of spinal nerve central canal lateral horn ventral root of spinal nerve dorsal ramus of spinal nerve pia mater white matter dorsal root ganglion dorsal (posterior) horn
EXERCISE Name 15 REVIEW SHEET Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves Lab Time/Date Anatomy of the Spinal Cord 1. Complete the following statements by inserting the proper anatomical terms in the answer blanks. The superior boundary of the spinal cord is at the level of the foramen magnum of the skull, and its inferior boundary The collection of spinal nerves traveling in the vertebral canal below is at the level of vertebra the terminus of the spinal cord is called the 2. Using the terms below, correctly identify on the diagram all structures provided with leader lines. ventral (anterior) horn dorsal root of spinal nerve spinal nerve arachnoid mater dura mater ventral ramus of spinal nerve central canal lateral horn ventral root of spinal nerve dorsal ramus of spinal nerve pia mater white matter dorsal root ganglion dorsal (posterior) horn

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

1. Complete the following statements:
   • The superior boundary of the spinal cord is at the level of the foramen magnum of the skull, and its inferior boundary is at the level of the L1 or L2 vertebra in adults. This is where the conus medullaris, the tapered end of the spinal cord, terminates.
   • The collection of spinal nerves traveling in the vertebral canal below the conus medullaris is called the cauda equina. It consists of the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal spinal nerves.
   • The terminus of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris. The conus medullaris is where the spinal cord tapers off, and it is located around the level of L1 or L2 in most adults.
2. Anatomical structures to identify:
   The following structures must be identified on the diagram of the spinal cord. I’ll provide brief descriptions of each to help with the identification:
   • Ventral (anterior) horn: Located in the gray matter of the spinal cord, the ventral horn contains motor neurons that send signals to skeletal muscles.
   • Dorsal root of spinal nerve: The sensory branch that transmits incoming sensory information from the periphery to the spinal cord. It enters the spinal cord through the dorsal aspect.
   • Spinal nerve: Formed by the joining of the dorsal and ventral roots. It is a mixed nerve, meaning it contains both sensory and motor fibers.
   • Arachnoid mater: One of the three meninges, the arachnoid mater is the middle layer and is found between the dura mater and pia mater. It surrounds the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
   • Dura mater: The outermost and toughest of the meninges. It provides protection and structure to the spinal cord.
   • Ventral ramus of spinal nerve: A branch of the spinal nerve that supplies muscles and skin of the anterior and lateral body walls, limbs, and some muscles of the neck.
   • Central canal: The narrow channel in the center of the spinal cord, filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
   • Lateral horn: Found in the gray matter of the thoracic and upper lumbar regions of the spinal cord. It contains cell bodies of sympathetic neurons.
   • Ventral root of spinal nerve: The motor branch that carries motor information away from the spinal cord to muscles and glands.
   • Dorsal ramus of spinal nerve: A branch of the spinal nerve that supplies the muscles and skin of the back.
   • Pia mater: The innermost layer of the meninges, tightly adhering to the surface of the spinal cord and brain.
   • White matter: Consists of myelinated axons that form ascending and descending tracts, transmitting sensory and motor information to and from the brain.
   • Dorsal root ganglion: A cluster of sensory nerve cell bodies located just outside the spinal cord, within the dorsal root.
   • Dorsal (posterior) horn: The section of gray matter in the spinal cord that processes sensory information from the body.

These structures work together to facilitate sensory and motor functions throughout the body, maintaining communication between the brain and the rest of the body.