Spine Introductory Discussion

Lab Summary

An introduction to spine and spinal cord.

Lab Objectives

Describe the number of vertebrae at each region.
Explain the discrepancy between the numbers of cervical vertebrae and cervical spinal nerves.
Describe primary and secondary spinal curvatures.
Describe the elements of a vertebra.
Describe the general features of the isolated spinal cord.
Describe main characteristics of vertebrae at differing levels of spine.
Describe the overall structure of a cross section of the spinal cord.
Describe the function of dorsal and ventral roots.
Describe the structural differences among the main levels of the spinal cord.
Name the major ascending and descending tracts and their functions.
Describe the blood supply of the spinal cord.

Lecture List

Spine Part 1 and 2, Spinal Cord Part 1 and 2

Spine Part I

Spine Part I Gallery

1.1a) Spine part 1 objectives
1.1b) Spine = Vertebral column
1.1c) Posterior view of spine
1.1d) Regions of spine
1.1e) Vertebrae vs. spinal nerves
1.1f) Five fused elements of sacrum
1.1g) Coccyx
1.1h) Thoracic spinal nerves
1.1i) Cervical spinal nerves
1.1j) Primary curvatures
1.1k) Secondary curvatures
1.1l) Vertebral body: Inferior view
1.1m) Vertebral arch
1.1n) Functional divisions
1.1o) Lateral view: Isolated spinal column
1.1p) Intervertebral disc

Spine Part II

Spine Part II Gallery

2.1a) Spine part 2 objectives
2.1b) Isolated spinal cord, anterior view (spinal nerves preserved on one side)
2.1c) The Altas (C1)
2.1d) The axis (C2)
2.1e) Atlantoaxial joint
2.1f) Mid-cervical vertebra, superior view
2.1g) Mid-thoracic vertebra, inferior view:
2.1h) Thoracic vertebrae, lateral view
2.1i) Thoracic vertebrae, higher power
2.1j) Lumbar vertebra, inferior view
2.1k) Lumbar vertebra, lateral view

Spinal Cord Part I

Spinal Cord Part I Gallery

3.1a) Spinal cord part 1 objectives
3.1b) Cervical spinal cord
3.1c) Cervical spinal cord
3.1d) Excised spinal cord
3.1e) Ventral cervical cord, high power view
3.1f) Four main regions
3.1g) Cervical spinal cord, ventral view
3.1h) Inferior spinal cord, posterior view
3.1i) Spinal nerve
3.1j) Dermatomal map

Spinal Cord Part II

Spinal Cord Part II Gallery

4.1a) Spinal cord part 2 objectives
4.1b) Major sensory and motor tracts
4.1c) Conscious sensation (red)
4.1d) Motor tracts (yellow)
4.1e) Blood supply – two posterior spinal arteries and one anterior spinal artery
4.1f) Diagram of anterior (ventral) spinal artery
4.1g) Anatomy of a lumbar puncture