BMS 301 TAP || WELL-ENLIGHTENED QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Describe the functions of the spinal cord correct answers Sensory processor- receives info
from entire body (except head)- sends info to cerebrum, brain stem, cerebellum, other
regions.
Motor outflow- lower motor neurons travel through ventral horns (final common pathway-
essential for movement), upper motor neurons in white matter (descending from bran).
Reflexes - local circuits. A reflex is a stereotyped movement driven by a sensory stimulus.
"The spinal cord is anatomically segmented" correct answers There are 31 spinal cord
segments, and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. There are 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral,
and 1-3 coccygeal segments.
Enlargements of spinal cord correct answers An enlargement means that there are more gray
matter cells. There is a cervical enlargement and a lumbar enlargement. You need more cells
here because these regions innervate the limbs. Inflammation here can have a big impact
because there is no extra space.
Internal anatomy of spinal cord/Gray matter correct answers The internal anatomy of the
spinal cord is not segmented. It consists of long columns. Cell bodies are located centrally in
gray matter, cell processes are located peripherally in white matter. The dorsal horns contain
the cell bodies of interneurons. The ventral horns contain the cell bodies of lower motor
neurons. These set the "tone" for muscles. If they are cut, flaccid paralysis occurs (no muscle
tone/reflexes/movement). There is a lateral horn in T1-L2 and S1-S3. This is for the
autonomic nervous system (sympathetic).
White matter correct answers 1) long ascending sensory fibers going to
brainstem/thalamus/cerebellum. These are interneurons, and start in the gray matter and
ascend upwards through the white matter.
2) long descending fibers from upper motor neurons (brainstem/cerebrum) to the ventral
horns, to synapse with lower motor neurons. These inhibit the action of LMN, and movement
signal by brain = less inhibition by UMN.
3) propriospinal fibers (interneurons, connecting S.C. levels and sides)
Component of reflex arc correct answers Receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron, motor
neuron, target organ.
Location and contents of subarachnoid space correct answers The subarachnoid space is
between the arachnoid and the pia mater, and contains cerebrospinal fluid and trebeculae
connecting the two membranes.
The three meningeal layers correct answers The meninges of the spinal cord consist of
connective tissue that is there to support, protect, and suspend the CNS. The dura is the tough
outer layer that is attached to bone. The arachnoid is thin spidery layer that is attached to the
dura. There is a subarachnoid space between the arachnoid and the pia, which is very thin and
is attached to the spinal cord.
, Lumbar cistern correct answers The lumbar cistern starts where the spinal cord ends at L2.
The end of the cord is called the conus medullaris. There are nerves in this area called cauda
equina. The dura and arachnoid extend through the lumbar cistern. This is a good place for an
epidural/lumbar puncture because the spinal cord won't be damaged.
Spinal nerves and bony vertebrae correct answers The vertebrae and spinal cords line up at
C1 and T1.
L1 (S.C.) - T11 (vertebra)
S1 (S.C.) - L1 (vertebra)
Denticulate ligaments and filum terminale correct answers The filum terminale is made of pia
and anchors the spinal cord. The denticulate ligaments anchor the spinal cord laterally and are
made of dura.
Five functional activities of the bony vertebral column correct answers Protect spinal cord,
help body stay erect, support for skull/ribs/upper limbs, muscle attachment points, aids in
locomotion.
Characteristics of the vertebral segments correct answers Cervical - delicate, large hole
through the center, only vertebrae with transverse foramina for arteries for the brain.
Thoracic - more pronounced, larger bodies & spinous processes compared to cervical
vertebrae, and smaller foramina. They articulate with the ribs.
Lumbar - largest body, narrow vertebral foramen.
Sacral - ventral rami pass through anterior sacral foramina and dorsal rami passing through
posterior sacral foramina. The vertebrae are fused.
Articulations between adjacent vertebra correct answers The general articulations involve
flexion, extension (more than flexion), lateral flexion, and rotation. The articulations occur
between:
A) Superior & inferior articulating processes (synovial/plane/gliding)
B) Between adjacent vertebral bodies (cartilaginous, intervertebral)
Not found between sacral vertebra
Articulations of C1-skull and C1-C2 correct answers Between C1 and skull, the atlanto-
occipital join can be found. This is a synovial hinge joint - the "yes" joint. The skull slides on
the transverse process of C1.
Between C1 and C2, there is an atlanto-axial joint. This is rotational, with the anterior arch of
atlas and a ligament rotating around the dens of C2.
Curves of vertebral column correct answers Curvature makes the spine stronger.
Cervical - hold head up.
Lumbar - for walking
Thoracic - to hold organs
Sacral - for urogenital organs
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature. Kyphosis is exaggerated thoracic curvature like from
osteoporosis. Lordosis is exaggerated lumbar curvature like due to pregnancy.
Ligaments of vertebral column correct answers Anterior longitudinal ligament - runs down
front of bodies of vertebrae, skull to sacrum. Very broad and limits extension.
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Describe the functions of the spinal cord correct answers Sensory processor- receives info
from entire body (except head)- sends info to cerebrum, brain stem, cerebellum, other
regions.
Motor outflow- lower motor neurons travel through ventral horns (final common pathway-
essential for movement), upper motor neurons in white matter (descending from bran).
Reflexes - local circuits. A reflex is a stereotyped movement driven by a sensory stimulus.
"The spinal cord is anatomically segmented" correct answers There are 31 spinal cord
segments, and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. There are 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral,
and 1-3 coccygeal segments.
Enlargements of spinal cord correct answers An enlargement means that there are more gray
matter cells. There is a cervical enlargement and a lumbar enlargement. You need more cells
here because these regions innervate the limbs. Inflammation here can have a big impact
because there is no extra space.
Internal anatomy of spinal cord/Gray matter correct answers The internal anatomy of the
spinal cord is not segmented. It consists of long columns. Cell bodies are located centrally in
gray matter, cell processes are located peripherally in white matter. The dorsal horns contain
the cell bodies of interneurons. The ventral horns contain the cell bodies of lower motor
neurons. These set the "tone" for muscles. If they are cut, flaccid paralysis occurs (no muscle
tone/reflexes/movement). There is a lateral horn in T1-L2 and S1-S3. This is for the
autonomic nervous system (sympathetic).
White matter correct answers 1) long ascending sensory fibers going to
brainstem/thalamus/cerebellum. These are interneurons, and start in the gray matter and
ascend upwards through the white matter.
2) long descending fibers from upper motor neurons (brainstem/cerebrum) to the ventral
horns, to synapse with lower motor neurons. These inhibit the action of LMN, and movement
signal by brain = less inhibition by UMN.
3) propriospinal fibers (interneurons, connecting S.C. levels and sides)
Component of reflex arc correct answers Receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron, motor
neuron, target organ.
Location and contents of subarachnoid space correct answers The subarachnoid space is
between the arachnoid and the pia mater, and contains cerebrospinal fluid and trebeculae
connecting the two membranes.
The three meningeal layers correct answers The meninges of the spinal cord consist of
connective tissue that is there to support, protect, and suspend the CNS. The dura is the tough
outer layer that is attached to bone. The arachnoid is thin spidery layer that is attached to the
dura. There is a subarachnoid space between the arachnoid and the pia, which is very thin and
is attached to the spinal cord.
, Lumbar cistern correct answers The lumbar cistern starts where the spinal cord ends at L2.
The end of the cord is called the conus medullaris. There are nerves in this area called cauda
equina. The dura and arachnoid extend through the lumbar cistern. This is a good place for an
epidural/lumbar puncture because the spinal cord won't be damaged.
Spinal nerves and bony vertebrae correct answers The vertebrae and spinal cords line up at
C1 and T1.
L1 (S.C.) - T11 (vertebra)
S1 (S.C.) - L1 (vertebra)
Denticulate ligaments and filum terminale correct answers The filum terminale is made of pia
and anchors the spinal cord. The denticulate ligaments anchor the spinal cord laterally and are
made of dura.
Five functional activities of the bony vertebral column correct answers Protect spinal cord,
help body stay erect, support for skull/ribs/upper limbs, muscle attachment points, aids in
locomotion.
Characteristics of the vertebral segments correct answers Cervical - delicate, large hole
through the center, only vertebrae with transverse foramina for arteries for the brain.
Thoracic - more pronounced, larger bodies & spinous processes compared to cervical
vertebrae, and smaller foramina. They articulate with the ribs.
Lumbar - largest body, narrow vertebral foramen.
Sacral - ventral rami pass through anterior sacral foramina and dorsal rami passing through
posterior sacral foramina. The vertebrae are fused.
Articulations between adjacent vertebra correct answers The general articulations involve
flexion, extension (more than flexion), lateral flexion, and rotation. The articulations occur
between:
A) Superior & inferior articulating processes (synovial/plane/gliding)
B) Between adjacent vertebral bodies (cartilaginous, intervertebral)
Not found between sacral vertebra
Articulations of C1-skull and C1-C2 correct answers Between C1 and skull, the atlanto-
occipital join can be found. This is a synovial hinge joint - the "yes" joint. The skull slides on
the transverse process of C1.
Between C1 and C2, there is an atlanto-axial joint. This is rotational, with the anterior arch of
atlas and a ligament rotating around the dens of C2.
Curves of vertebral column correct answers Curvature makes the spine stronger.
Cervical - hold head up.
Lumbar - for walking
Thoracic - to hold organs
Sacral - for urogenital organs
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature. Kyphosis is exaggerated thoracic curvature like from
osteoporosis. Lordosis is exaggerated lumbar curvature like due to pregnancy.
Ligaments of vertebral column correct answers Anterior longitudinal ligament - runs down
front of bodies of vertebrae, skull to sacrum. Very broad and limits extension.
