Deck 17: The Spinal Cord and the Spinal Nerves

Question 1

The main plexuses formed by the anterior (ventral) rami of spinal nerves are:

A) thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal
B) cervical, brachial, lumbar, and sacral.
C) cervical, lumbar, sacral, and inguinal.
D) cervical, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a correct description of the location of the brachial plexus?

A) on the neck alongside the first four cervical vertebrae
B) passes above the first rib posterior to the clavicle
C) extends inferiorly and laterally on either side of the last few cervical and first thoracic vertebrae
D) enters the axilla

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The inferior extension of the pia mater that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx is called the _____.

A) cauda equina
B) filum terminale
C) denticulate ligament
D) conus medullaris

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The white matter of the spinal cord:

A) contains ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts.
B) is surrounded by gray matter.
C) is subdivided into regions called horns.
D) all of these choices

Question 5

The conus medullaris is:

A) the junction between the medulla and the spinal cord.
B) the tapering end of the spinal cord inferior to the lumbar enlargement.
C) the inner portion of the spinal cord, seen in cross section.
D) the attachment of a spinal nerve to the spinal cord.

Question 6

A typical reflex arc involves the following components: 1. sensory neuron
2) motor neuron
3) sensory receptor
4) integrating center
5) effector
The correct order is:

A) 3, 1, 4, 2, 5
B) 3, 4, 1, 2, 5
C) 3, 2, 1, 5
D) 3, 4, 2, 5

Question 7

The roots of which spinal nerves make up the cauda equina? 1. Thoracic
2) Lumbar
3) Sacral
4) Coccygeal

A) 1, 2, 3, 4
B) 2, 3, 4 only
C) 3, 4 only
D) 4 only

Question 8

Which of the following statements is FALSE for spinal nerves?

A) The two largest branches of a spinal nerve are the anterior (ventral) ramus and the posterior (dorsal) ramus.
B) All spinal nerves are mixed nerves.
C) The outer covering of a spinal nerve is the epineurium.
D) Every pair of spinal nerves exits through the intervertebral foramina above the vertebra that has the same name and number as the nerves.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a correct description of the location of the lumbar plexus?

A) lateral to the first four lumbar vertebrae
B) posterior to the quadratus lumborum muscle
C) between the two heads of the psoas major muscle
D) None of these choices

Question 10

Which of the following contain cell bodies of interneurons?

A) posterior (dorsal) gray horns
B) anterior (ventral) gray horns
C) posterior (dorsal) root ganglia
D) all of these choices

Question 11

Which of the following could serve as an effector for a somatic reflex?

A) skeletal muscle.
B) smooth or cardiac muscle.
C) gland.
D) all of these choices

Question 12

The spinal cord is protected by which of the following?

A) vertebral column
B) meninges
C) cerebrospinal fluid
D) All of these choices

Question 13

Spinal nerves T2-T12 differ from all other spinal nerves in that:

A) they do not branch to form rami.
B) they are autonomic nerves.
C) the anterior (ventral) rami do not contribute to a plexus.
D) the posterior (dorsal) rami form a plexus.

Question 14

Lateral gray horns are present in ALL segments of the _____ region of the spinal cord.

A) cervical
B) thoracic
C) lumbar
D) all of these choices

Question 15

The senses of pain and temperature are conveyed to the brain by:

A) direct tracts.
B) indirect tracts.
C) lateral spinothalamic tracts.
D) posterior columns.

Question 16

The gray matter of the spinal cord:

A) is subdivided into regions called horns.
B) is surrounded by white matter.
C) contains neuronal cell bodies.
D) all of these choices

Question 17

The central canal of the spinal cord is located in the center of the:

A) anterior (ventral) white commissure.
B) anterior (ventral) gray horns.
C) posterior (dorsal) white columns.
D) gray commissure.

Question 18

Motor impulses that help maintain muscle tone and posture are conveyed from the brain through the spinal cord by the:

A) direct pathways.
B) indirect pathways.
C) spinothalamic tracts.
D) posterior columns.

Question 19

Which of the following is FALSE regarding the sciatic nerve? It:

A) arises from the lumbar plexus.
B) splits at about the level of the knee into tibial and common fibular nerves.
C) is the largest nerve in the body.
D) sends branches to the hamstring muscles.

Question 20

Which peripheral nerves are responsible for cutaneous sensation from the skin of the anterior abdominal wall as well as motor innervation to anterior abdominal wall muscles?

A) median and musculocutaneous nerves
B) sciatic and sural nerves
C) intercostal (thoracic) nerves
D) inferior and superior gluteal nerves

Question 21

Select the muscle(s) served by the tibial nerve.

A) anterior muscles of thigh (quadriceps and sartorius)
B) adductor muscles of thigh
C) gluteus maximus
D) gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
E) tibialis anterior and fibularis (peroneal) muscles

Question 22

From which plexus does the long thoracic nerve arise?

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

Question 23

What is the best description of the dura mater?

A) meninx closest to the bone of the vertebral column
B) between arachnoid mater and pia mater
C) between pia mater and spinal cord
D) contains blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord
E) consists of collagen and elastic fiber network; has no blood vessels

Question 24

Select the muscle(s) served by the inferior gluteal nerve.

A) anterior muscles of thigh (quadriceps and sartorius)
B) adductor muscles of thigh
C) gluteus maximus
D) gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
E) tibialis anterior and fibularis (peroneal) muscles

Question 25

Select the muscle(s) served by the common fibular nerve.

A) anterior muscles of thigh (quadriceps and sartorius)
B) adductor muscles of thigh
C) gluteus maximus
D) gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
E) tibialis anterior and fibularis (peroneal) muscles

Question 26

What is the best description of the subarachnoid space?

A) contains a protective cushion of fat and connective tissue
B) between arachnoid mater and pia mater
C) between dura mater and the wall of vertebral canal
D) between dura mater and arachnoid mater
E) contains interstitial fluid

Question 27

Select the muscle(s) served by the femoral nerve.

A) extensor muscles of knee joint
B) adductor muscles of thigh
C) gluteus maximus
D) gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
E) tibialis anterior and fibularis (peroneal) muscles

Question 28

Which of the following contains sensory information ONLY?

A) anterior (ventral) root
B) anterior (ventral) ramus
C) posterior (dorsal) root
D) posterior (dorsal) ramus

Question 29

From which plexus does the femoral nerve arise?

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

Question 30

What is the best description of the epidural space?

A) contains a protective cushion of fat and connective tissue
B) between arachnoid mater and pia mater
C) between dura mater and arachnoid mater
D) contains interstitial fluid
E) contains cerebrospinal fluid

Question 31

What is the best description of the arachnoid mater?

A) meninx closest to the bone of the vertebral column
B) between subarachnoid space and pia mater
C) contains a protective cushion of fat and connective tissue
D) contains blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord
E) consists of collagen and elastic fiber network; has no blood vessels

Question 32

Select the structure(s) served by the supraclavicular nerve.

A) quadriceps femoris muscle
B) extensors of the wrist
C) flexors of the wrist
D) skin of superior portion of the chest and shoulder
E) diaphragm

Question 33

From which plexus does the phrenic nerve arise?

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

Question 34

Select the muscle(s) served by the obturator nerve.

A) anterior muscles of thigh (quadriceps and sartorius)
B) adductor muscles of thigh
C) gluteus maximus
D) gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
E) tibialis anterior and fibularis (peroneal) muscles

Question 35

Select the structure(s) served by the axillary nerve.

A) deltoid muscle
B) extensors of the wrist
C) flexors of the wrist
D) biceps brachii
E) diaphragm

Question 36

Select the structure(s) served by the median nerve.

A) quadriceps femoris muscle
B) extensors of the wrist
C) flexors of the wrist
D) skin of superior portion of the chest and shoulder
E) diaphragm

Question 37

From which plexus does the great auricular nerve arise?

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

Question 38

What is the best description of the pia mater?

A) contains a protective cushion of fat and connective tissue
B) most superficial meninx
C) thick strong layer composed of dense, irregular connective tissue
D) contains blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord
E) consists of collagen and elastic fiber network; has no blood vessels

Question 39

Select the structure(s) served by the phrenic nerve.

A) quadriceps femoris muscle
B) adductor muscles of thigh
C) flexors of the wrist
D) skin of superior portion of the chest and shoulder
E) diaphragm

Question 40

Select the structure(s) served by the radial nerve.

A) deltoid muscle
B) triceps brachii
C) flexors of the wrist
D) skin of superior portion of the chest and shoulder
E) diaphragm

Question 41

Except for T2-T12, all anterior (ventral) rami form nerve plexuses.

Question 42

Name the four plexuses and give the general distribution of each.

Question 43

Sketch and label a cross (transverse) section of a spinal cord segment showing the attachments of a spinal nerve and the features of the cord.

Question 44

The femoral nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve.

Question 45

All segments of the spinal cord contain lateral, posterior (dorsal), and anterior (ventral) gray horns.

Question 46

From which plexus does the superior gluteal nerve arise?

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

Question 47

The denticulate ligaments and the filum terminale are both structures that help to anchor the spinal cord and protect it against sudden displacement.

Question 48

The anterior median fissure of the spinal cord is shallower and narrower than the posterior median sulcus.

Question 49

From which plexus does the ulnar nerve arise?

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

Question 50

The adult spinal cord extends from the _____ of the brain inferiorly to the superior border of the _____ lumbar vertebra.

A) Midbrain; first
B) Pons; third
C) Medulla oblongata, second
D) Medulla oblongata, fourth

Question 51

The thin transparent spinal meninx called pia mater separates the spinal cord from the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 52

Describe, in order, from superficial (outermost) to deep (innermost), the structures, tissues, and fluids that provide protection for the spinal cord.

Question 53

Cell bodies of motor neurons that supply smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands via the autonomic nervous system can be found in the lateral gray horns of the spinal cord.

Question 54

Describe the anatomy of a spinal nerve from the point where it is attached to the spinal cord to where it divides into branches. Name the roots and branches and describe in general the regions served by each branch.

Question 55

From which plexus does the axillary nerve arise?

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

Question 56

From which plexus does the iliohypogastric nerve arise?

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

Question 57

Complete anesthesia of a dermatome typically requires blocking of only one pair of spinal nerves because there is never overlap between neighboring dermatomes.

Question 58

The epidural space found between the dura mater and the wall of the vertebral canal contains a protective cushion of fat and connective tissue.

Question 59

From which plexus does the pudendal nerve arise?

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

Question 60

Complete paralysis of the diaphragm occurs if the spinal cord is crushed or destroyed just below the C5 region.

Question 61

The two main routes for motor information traveling down the spinal cord are _____ pathways and _____ pathways.

A) corticospinal, posterior column
B) anterior spinocerebellar, posterior spinocerebellar
C) gracilis fasciculus, cuneate fasciculus
D) direct, indirect

Question 62

The part of the spinal cord indicated by the line is the _____

A) posterior (dorsal) root
B) posterior (dorsal) ramus
C) anterior (ventral) root
D) anterior (ventral) ramus

Question 63

The two main routes for sensory information traveling up the spinal cord to the brain are _____ tracts and _____ columns.

A) direct, indirect
B) spinothalamic, posterior
C) reticulospinal, vestibulospinal
D) corticospinal, corticobulbar

Question 64

The meninx indicated by the line is the _____.

A) pia mater
B) arachnoid mater
C) dura mater

Question 65

Motor neurons that supply skeletal muscles have cell bodies in _____ gray horns of the spinal cord, and their axons exit the cord via a/an _____ root.

A) anterior (ventral), posterior (dorsal)
B) posterior (dorsal), posterior (dorsal)
C) anterior (ventral), anterior (ventral)
D) posterior (dorsal), anterior (ventral)

Question 66

The meninx indicated by the line is the _____.

A) pia mater
B) arachnoid mater
C) dura mater

Question 67

Cerebrospinal fluid is found between two layers of the meninges, in a space called the _____.

A) subarachnoid space
B) subpial space
C) epidural space
D) subdural space

Question 68

The meninx indicated by the line is the _____.

A) pia mater
B) arachnoid mater
C) dura mater

Question 69

A dermatome is an area of skin that provides sensory input to the CNS via one pair of spinal nerves or the trigeminal (V) nerve.

Question 70

Which of the following contain cell bodies of sensory neurons?

A) anterior (ventral) gray horns
B) posterior (dorsal) gray horns
C) posterior (dorsal) root ganglia
D) lateral gray horns

Question 71

The _____ plexus serves the skin and muscles of the head, neck, and superior part of the shoulders and chest.

A) cervical
B) brachial
C) thoracic
D) lumbar

Question 72

There are _____ pairs of spinal nerves, consisting of the following groups: _____ pairs of cervical, _____ pairs of thoracic, _____ pairs of lumbar, _____ pairs of sacral, and _____ pair of coccygeal spinal nerves.

A) 31, 8, 12, 5, 5, 1
B) 41, 8, 13, 6, 6, 2
C) 31, 7, 12, 5, 5, 1
D) 24, 9, 10, 4, 5, 3

Question 73

The structure(s) indicated by the lines is/are the _____

A) anterior (ventral) ramus
B) posterior (dorsal) ramus
C) rami communicantes
D) posterior (dorsal) root

Question 74

The part of the spinal cord indicated by the line is the _____

A) anterior (ventral) root
B) posterior (dorsal) root
C) rami communicantes
D) spinal nerve

Question 75

Which of the following is NOT a branch of a spinal nerve?

A) ramus communicans (plural: rami communicantes)
B) meningeal branch
C) lateral ramus
D) anterior (ventral) ramus