RNSG 2432, Exam 3: Module 7- SCI & Module 8- HNP/ Spinal Cord Tumors|Advanced Neurotrauma and Spinal Cord Nursing Examination: Spinal Cord Anatomy and Vertebral Column Protection, Cervical Thoracic Lumbar and Sacral Vertebral Structure, Gray Matter and Wh

RNSG 2432, Exam 3: Module 7- SCI & Module 8- HNP/ Spinal Cord Tumors|Advanced Neurotrauma and Spinal Cord Nursing Examination: Spinal Cord Anatomy and Vertebral Column Protection, Cervical Thoracic Lumbar and Sacral Vertebral Structure, Gray Matter and White Matter Ascending and Descending Neural Pathways, Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Lesions and Paralysis Patterns, Reflex Arc Neurological Function, Dermatomes and Myotomes Sensory Motor Mapping, Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Mechanisms Flexion Hyperextension Compression and Rotation, Primary and Secondary Spinal Cord Injury Pathophysiology, Edema Ischemia Hypoxia and Neuronal Apoptosis Damage, Tetraplegia and Paraplegia Neurologic Deficits, Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Syndromes, Central Cord Syndrome Anterior Cord Syndrome and Brown Sequard Syndrome, Posterior Cord and Cauda Equina Neurologic Disorders, Spinal Shock and Neurogenic Shock Hemodynamic Instability Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 Introduction to the Spinal Cord: The spinal cord is about 18 inches in length o Extends from base of brain to the waistline o The spine divided into 4 sections: • Cervical vertebrae • Thoracic vertebrae • Lumbar vertebrae • Sacral vertebrae Spinal Cord Protection - bones & discs Bones- vertebral column 7 Cervical 12 Thoracic 5- Lumbar 5- Sacral (fused) 4- Coccygeal (fused) Discs- between vertebra Spinal Cord Protection - other -Internal and external ligaments -Meninges- dura mater, arachoid, pia mater -CSF in subarachnoid space allow for movement within spinal canal anterior view of S.C. Central Nervous System Review CNS includes cerebrum, brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord. Spinal cord made of gray matter and white matter. -White matter -contains axons of ascending and descending tract. §Ascending tract –carry info up the CNS §Descending tract-carry info down for muscle movement -Grey matter- Cell bodies for reflex/voluntary movement —Gray matter- cell bodies of voluntary and autonomic motor neurons —White matter axons of ascending and descending motor fibers reflex arc A relatively direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron that allows an extremely rapid response to a stimulus, often without conscious brain involvement. normal spinal cord- reflex arc -Involuntary response to a stimulus -Where sensory and motor nerves arise from cord -Sensory fibers enter posterior -Synapse in the grey matter -Motor fibers leave anterior -Once outside cord join form spinal nerve Normal Spinal Cord White tracts send messages to and from the brain -Ascending Tracts- carry into higher levels of CNS -touch, deep pressure, vibration, position, temperature -Descending Tracts - impulses for voluntary muscle movement CNS Review- Descending Tract Consists of Upper and Lower motor neurons Upper motor -come from cerebral cortex and project down spinal cord Lower motor-final pathway of tract that influences skeletal muscles Upper Motor Neurons UMN Originate in cerebral cortex Project downward Result in skeletal muscle movement Injury = SPASTIC paralysis Lower Motor Neurons LMN Originate at each vertebral level Project to specific parts of the body Result in movement /sensation Injury = FLACCID paralysis spastic paralysis damage to upper motor neurons of primary motor cortex Spinal neurons remain intact; muscles are stimulated by reflex activity No voluntary control of muscles Muscles often shorten permanently flaccid paralysis severe damage to ventral root or ventral horn cells Impu