Chapter 9 - spinal

Question 1

2 main types of nervous systems

Answer 1

• peripheral nervous system -nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body.
• The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 2

how many pairs of spinal nerves

Answer 2

31 pairs

Question 3

From the PNS (other branches of the nervous system)

Answer 3

Somatic Nervous System
- controls voluntary muscles and transmits sensory information to the CNS

Autonomic Nervous System- controls involuntary body systems (smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, glass, BP, HR, Temp).

Question 4

Somatic nervous system

Answer 4

Sympathetic
- arouses body to expend energy

Parasympathetic
- calms body to conserve and maintain energy

Question 5

The effects of force on spinal trauma

Answer 5

solid structures; CRACK
> bone = fracture

Hollow structures; POP
> discs (herniation)

Fixed points; tear
> spinal cord (laceration or transaction)
> ligaments (tears, instability)
> nerve roots
> vessels

Question 6

SECONDARY INJURY

Answer 6

Biochemical and cellular reactions cause inflammation of tissues and can lead to permanent loss of function if not corrected

Question 7

neurogenic shock

Answer 7

Occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord - commonly at T6 or higher - this results in the destruction of the sympathetic innervation and the regulation of vascular and vagal tone producing a loss of vascular resistance and generalised vasdioliation.

Question 8

spinal shock

Answer 8

occurs when normal activity in the spinal cord and below the level of injury ceases because of disruption or inhibition of impulses in the spinal cord. when the spinal cord is injured, a cascade of events takes place…

• blood supply to the cord can be disrupted
• conduction of electrical activity of neurons and axions is compromised
• all of the above results in loss of function, in which the patient can sustain an incomplete SCI, the presence of spinal shock can delay the assessment of the full extent of the injury.

Question 9

Motor neurons

Answer 9

Motor neurones are cells in the brain and spinal cord that allow us to move, speak, swallow and breathe by sending commands from the brain to the muscles that carry out these functions. Their nerve fibers are the longest in the body, a single axon can stretch from the base of the spinal cord all the way to the toes.

Question 10

Immune inflammatory response

Answer 10

once the spinal cord is damaged the immune inflammation system is activated the function of immune cells once they have entered the damaged spinal cord is not well established. however,

within minutes > endothelial cells that line the blood vessels of the spine become edematous

> this swelling prevents the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to neurones