Deck 14: Nervous System: Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

Question 1

Which space associated with the spinal cord meninges contains areolar connective tissue, blood vessels, and adipose connective tissue?

A) Subarachnoid space
B) Epidural space
C) Central canal
D) Subdural space
E) Epiarachnoid space

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The lateral horns of the spinal cord contain

A) axons of motor neurons and interneuron cell bodies.
B) axons of sensory and motor neurons.
C) cell bodies of somatic sensory neurons.
D) axons of sensory neurons and interneuron cell bodies.
E) cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

The innermost of the meninges is the pia mater.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The spinal dura mater contains an outer periosteal layer and an inner meningeal layer.

Question 5

What is the correct order for the parts of the spinal cord, from superior to inferior?

A) Cervical - thoracic - sacral - coccygeal - lumbar
B) Cervical - thoracic - lumbar - sacral - coccygeal
C) Thoracic - lumbar - sacral - cervical - coccygeal
D) Thoracic - cervical - lumbar - coccygeal - sacral
E) Thoracic - lumbar - sacral - coccygeal - cervical

Question 6

The spinal cord part with the largest diameter is the ________ part.

A) thoracic
B) cervical
C) lumbar
D) sacral
E) coccygeal

Question 7

The most inferior spinal nerve is

A) C7.
B) C8.
C) Co1.
D) Co7.
E) CN XII.

Question 8

The tapered, conical inferior end of the spinal cord is called the conus

A) finalis.
B) medullaris.
C) equine.
D) caudalis.
E) sacralis.

Question 9

What is the thin strand of pia mater that helps to anchor the spinal cord to the coccyx?

A) Conus medullaris
B) Cervical enlargement
C) Terminus coccyx
D) Filum terminale
E) Coccygeal tendon

Question 10

The most delicate of the meninges consists of elastic and collagen fibers and is known as the

A) pia mater.
B) dura mater.
C) falx cerebri.
D) arachnoid mater.

Question 11

Which space associated with the spinal cord meninges contains cerebrospinal fluid?

A) Epidural space
B) Subdural space
C) Subarachnoid space
D) Epiarachnoid space
E) Subpial space

Question 12

Which statement accurately describes spinal nerves?

A) Most spinal nerves are motor nerves.
B) Each spinal nerve is mixed in that it contains some sensory axons and some motor axons.
C) All spinal nerves are sensory nerves.
D) Odd-numbered spinal nerves are sensory and even-numbered spinal nerves are motor.
E) Spinal nerves are central axons contained within the vertebral canal.

Question 13

In adults, the spinal cord is not the same length as the vertebral canal, and most of the lumbar part of the spinal cord is within

A) the coccyx.
B) the sacrum.
C) the cervical vertebrae.
D) the thoracic vertebrae.
E) the cauda equina.

Question 14

The posterior horns of the spinal cord contain

A) axons of motor neurons and cell bodies of interneurons.
B) axons of sensory and motor neurons.
C) axons of interneurons.
D) axons of sensory neurons and cell bodies of interneurons.
E) autonomic motor neurons.

Question 15

In a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), fluid is extracted from the

A) central canal of the spinal cord.
B) epidural space.
C) subdural space.
D) epipial space.
E) subarachnoid space.

Question 16

The subdural space is the region between the arachnoid mater and the dura mater.

Question 17

Paired, lateral triangular extensions of the spinal pia mater that extend to the dura to suspend and anchor the spinal cord are known as ________ ligaments.

Question 18

Each side of the spinal cord gives rise to ________ cervical nerves.

A) two
B) six
C) seven
D) eight
E) twelve

Question 19

A typical spinal cord in an adult is

A) 24-26 inches long.
B) 12-14 inches long.
C) 8-10 inches long.
D) 16-18 inches long.
E) 20-24 inches long.

Question 20

The inferior tip of the spinal cord is the ________ part.

A) thoracic
B) lumbar
C) coccygeal
D) cervical
E) sacral

Question 21

The large section of spinal white matter that is found between the posterior gray horns is known as the posterior

A) commissure.
B) funiculus.
C) decussation.
D) peduncle.

Question 22

Information about temperature, proprioception, and pressure from skin, joints, and muscles is conveyed by

A) somatomotor pathways.
B) visceromotor pathways.
C) somatosensory pathways.
D) viscerosensory pathways.

Question 23

Which of the following accurately compares sections of spinal white matter?

A) A fasciculus is smaller than a funiculus.
B) A fasciculus is larger than a funiculus.
C) A fasciculus is smaller than a tract.
D) A fasciculus is larger than a tract.

Question 24

This structure contains unmyelinated axons and serves as a communication route between the right and left sides of the gray matter in the spinal cord.

A) Gray commissure
B) White commissure
C) Lateral commissure
D) Posterior commissure
E) Denticulate ligaments

Question 25

A conduction pathway consists of a

A) nerve and an effector.
B) nerve and a tract.
C) ganglion and a nucleus.
D) tract and a nucleus.

Question 26

Which accurately describes sensory and motor pathways?

A) Sensory pathways terminate in the brain, and motor pathways terminate at effectors.
B) Both sensory and motor pathways terminate in the brain.
C) Both sensory and motor pathways terminate in the PNS.
D) Sensory pathways terminate at effectors and motor pathways terminate in the brain.

Question 27

The lateral funiculus contains both ascending and descending tracts.

Question 28

Motor pathways are also called ascending pathways.

Question 29

In sum, there are ________ pairs of spinal nerves.

A) 13
B) 31
C) 40
D) 51
E) 12

Question 30

A pathway has two parts: a bundle of CNS axons and a collection of neuron cell bodies in the CNS.

Question 31

Neurons of the thalamus that are part of sensory conduction pathways are considered

A) primary neurons.
B) secondary neurons.
C) tertiary neurons.
D) quaternary neurons.

Question 32

The white matter of the spinal cord is surrounded by its grey matter.

Question 33

________ pathways have peripheral primary neurons and central secondary and tertiary neurons.

A) Motor
B) Sensory

Question 34

Because most pathways decussate, each side of the brain processes information from the ________ side of the body.

A) contralateral
B) ipsilateral

Question 35

An individual tract within the spinal cord contains either sensory nerve signals or motor nerve signals only.

Question 36

These nuclei are located in the lateral horns and innervate smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

A) Sensory nuclei
B) Autonomic motor nuclei
C) Visceral sensory nuclei
D) Somatic sensory nuclei
E) Somatic motor nuclei

Question 37

Nuclei within the gray matter of the spinal cord that receive information from sensory receptors such as pain or pressure receptors in the skin are ________ nuclei.

A) visceral sensory
B) somatic sensory
C) autonomic motor
D) somatic motor

Question 38

The axons of primary sensory neurons make synaptic connections with

A) posterior root ganglia of spinal nerves.
B) secondary neurons in the CNS.
C) secondary neurons in the PNS.
D) thalamic neurons.

Question 39

The ________ nuclei within the gray matter of the spinal cord send nerve impulses to skeletal muscles.

A) visceral sensory
B) somatic sensory
C) autonomic motor
D) somatic motor

Question 40

Abdominal pain from digestive organs (e.g., from a stomach ulcer) would be conveyed to the brain by way of somatosensory pathways.

Question 41

Motor pathways are ________ tracts that control ________.

A) ascending; affectors
B) ascending; effectors
C) descending; affectors
D) descending; effectors

Question 42

Some motor pathways originate in the cerebellum.

Question 43

In both the anterolateral pathway and the posterior funiculus-medial lemniscal pathway, the axons of the ________ neurons decussate in the CNS.

A) primary
B) secondary
C) tertiary
D) quaternary

Question 44

Lower motor neurons are always excitatory.

Question 45

The direct motor pathway originates in the

A) motor cortex of the cerebral cortex.
B) superior colliculus of the midbrain.
C) vestibular nuclei of the brainstem.
D) reticular formation of the brainstem.

Question 46

Which of the rami is much smaller than the other?

A) The anterior ramus
B) The posterior ramus

Question 47

The tectospinal tract is part of the medial pathway, which is an indirect motor pathway.

Question 48

Neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex receive input from tertiary neurons that have their cell bodies residing in the thalamus.

Question 49

The spinocerebellar pathway is an ascending somatosensory pathway.

Question 50

The anterior spinocerebellar tract conducts signals about

A) pain from the upper limbs.
B) pain from the lower limbs.
C) proprioception from the upper limbs.
D) proprioception from the lower limbs.

Question 51

The lateral corticospinal tracts include a ________ of the upper motor neuron axons that pass through the medulla, and they govern control of ________.

A) majority; axial muscles
B) majority; muscles used for finely controlled movements
C) minority; axial muscles
D) minority; muscles used for finely controlled movements

Question 52

The neurons that directly innervate skeletal muscles are called

A) first-order neurons.
B) second-order neurons.
C) upper motor neurons.
D) lower motor neurons.

Question 53

Axons of the corticobulbar tracts

A) descend in the lateral funiculus of the spinal cord and synapse with anterior horn motor neurons.
B) descend in the anterior funiculus of the spinal cord and synapse with lateral horn motor neurons.
C) do not pass through the spinal cord, as they synapse with lower motor neurons in brainstem cranial nuclei.
D) do not pass through the spinal cord, as they synapse with cerebellar Purkinje cells.
E) connect the supplementary motor cortex with the primary motor cortex.

Question 54

The function of upper motor neurons is to

A) directly excite skeletal muscle cells.
B) excite or inhibit skeletal muscle cells.
C) excite or inhibit lower motor neurons.
D) excite motor portions of the thalamus.
E) excite or inhibit motor portions of the cerebral cortex.

Question 55

Information about pain and temperature is conveyed to the brain by way of the

A) posterior funiculus-medial lemniscal pathway.
B) spinocerebellar pathway.
C) anterolateral pathway.
D) fasciculus gracilis.
E) tectospinal tract.

Question 56

The cell bodies of lower motor neurons are housed in the posterior horns of the spinal cord.

Question 57

The fasciculus cuneatus is part of the

A) anterolateral pathway.
B) spinocerebellar pathway.
C) posterior funiculus-medial lemniscal pathway.
D) lateral spinothalamic tract.
E) fasciculus gracilis.

Question 58

Motor neurons that innervate the head and neck are located in the motor nuclei of cranial nerves and in the reticular formation.

Question 59

The medial lemniscus is

A) gray matter in the spinal cord that processes information about proprioception and touch.
B) gray matter in the spinal cord that processes information about pain and temperature.
C) white matter in the brainstem that conducts information about proprioception and touch.
D) white matter in the brainstem that conducts information about pain and temperature.

Question 60

Axons of the anterior corticospinal tracts decussate in the medulla.

Question 61

The anterior rami of T1-T11 are called

A) dorsal plexuses.
B) anterior plexuses.
C) intercostal nerves.
D) brachial nerves.
E) cervical nerves.

Question 62

Following an injury to his arm, a patient complains that he has no sensations from the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. What nerve do you suspect to be damaged?

A) Median nerve
B) Radial nerve
C) Musculocutaneous nerve
D) Ulnar nerve
E) Axillary nerve

Question 63

If a person suffers a thorax-crushing injury and is unable to breathe properly, you would suspect that this nerve was damaged.

A) Transverse cervical nerve
B) Accessory nerve
C) Phrenic nerve
D) Sciatic nerve
E) Greater auricular nerve

Question 64

The cervical plexus is formed by the

A) posterior rami of spinal nerves C2-C6.
B) posterior rami of spinal nerves C4-C8.
C) anterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C4.
D) anterior rami of spinal nerves C3-C7.
E) rami communicantes of spinal nerves C1-C7.

Question 65

Which spinal nerves contribute to the brachial plexus?

A) S1-Co1
B) L1-L5
C) C5-T1
D) L4-S4
E) C1-C5

Question 66

The plexuses that lie on either side of the neck are the ________ plexuses.

A) cervical
B) brachial
C) lumbar
D) radial
E) mandibular

Question 67

A specific segment of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve is a ________.

Question 68

Which of the following lists the components of the brachial plexus in correct order starting with the most medial?

A) Cords, divisions, nerves, rami
B) Rami, divisions, cords, trunks
C) Trunks, divisions, rami, cords
D) Ganglia, rami, nerves, terminals
E) Rami, trunks, divisions, cords

Question 69

The posterior ramus of a typical spinal nerve innervates the

A) deep muscles of the back and the skin of the back.
B) major thoracic and abdominal organs.
C) abdominal wall.
D) anterior and lateral trunk and the limbs.
E) special senses.

Question 70

A network of interwoven anterior rami of spinal nerves is a

A) ramus.
B) communicans.
C) ganglion.
D) dermatome.
E) plexus.

Question 71

Within the axilla, axons of neurons are organized within

A) three cords-the posterior, medial, and lateral cords.
B) three divisions-the superior, middle, and inferior divisions.
C) five cords-the superior, inferior, medial, lateral, and middle divisions.
D) five divisions-proximal, distal, ulnar, median, and radial divisions.

Question 72

The nerve that innervates the deltoid muscle and receives sensory input from the superolateral arm is the

A) axillary nerve.
B) musculocutaneous nerve.
C) median nerve.
D) radial nerve.
E) ulnar nerve.

Question 73

Which are not spinal nerve branches?

A) Rami communicantes
B) Posterior rami
C) Anterior rami
D) Lateral rami

Question 74

The second thoracic spinal nerve exits the spinal column through the

A) vertebral canal of vertebrae T1, T2, and T3.
B) sacral hiatus.
C) intervertebral foramen between vertebrae T2 and T3.
D) intervertebral foramen between vertebrae T1 and T2.

Question 75

If a patient experiences numbness in the boundaries of a dermatome, it is suggestive of damage to

A) the somatosensory cortex.
B) the thalamus.
C) one of the spinal funiculi.
D) the anterior horn of grey matter in the spinal cord.
E) a spinal nerve.

Question 76

Which of the following structures is closest to the spinal cord?

A) Posterior ramus
B) Posterior root ganglion
C) Posterior rootlets
D) Posterior root

Question 77

The anterior ramus of a typical spinal nerve innervates the

A) deep muscles of the back and the skin of the back.
B) major thoracic and abdominal organs.
C) abdominal wall.
D) anterior and lateral trunk and the limbs.
E) special senses.

Question 78

The plexus that supplies the upper limbs is the ________ plexus.

A) cervical
B) brachial
C) bronchiole
D) lumbar
E) sciatic

Question 79

A posterior root contains

A) sensory axons only.
B) motor axons only.
C) a mix of sensory and motor axons.
D) autonomic nervous system axons.

Question 80

The third cervical spinal nerve exits the vertebral column through the

A) intervertebral foramen between C2 and C3 vertebrae.
B) intervertebral foramen between C3 and C4 vertebrae.
C) transverse foramen of C3 vertebra.
D) vertebral canal of vertebrae C2, C3, and C4.