Back surface landmarks — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: The _____ is the caudal end of the spinal cord; ends at L2 vertebra in adults

Answer: conus medullaris

Flashcard 2: If only one tract (fasciculus) is present in the dorsal column, the spinal cord is _____ T6

Answer: below

Flashcard 3: What structure is formed by the decussation of internal arcuate fibers in the medulla and carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioception to the VPL nucleus of the thalamus?

Answer: Medial lemniscus

Extra: The medial lemniscus represents the second-order neurons of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus (DCML) system. These neurons originate in the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus, cross the midline as internal arcuate fibers in the medulla, and ascend to the ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus.

Flashcard 4: Identify the spinal cord level based on these histological features: oval shape, largest amount of white matter, and presence of both fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus: _____

Answer: Cervical

Flashcard 5: Which spinal cord level is characterized by large ventral horns and a high ratio of gray matter to white matter?

Answer: Lumbar

Flashcard 6: What is the lateral border of the femoral triangle?_____

Answer: Sartorius muscle

Flashcard 7: Both dorsal columns (fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus) are present at and above which spinal level?

Answer: T6

Extra: The fasciculus gracilis is present at all spinal levels (carrying sensation from the lower limbs), while the fasciculus cuneatus begins only at the T6 level (carrying sensation from the upper limbs). Therefore, both dorsal columns are present only at and above the level of T6.