Question 1

Which of the following structures provides the outermost protective covering of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Dura mater

Question 2

A patient suffers a spinal cord injury that damages only the ascending tracts. Which function is most likely to be impaired?

Accepted Answer

Sensory information transmission to the brain

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the function of the ventral roots of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Transmit motor information away from the spinal cord

Question 4

The subarachnoid space is important because it:

Accepted Answer

Contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for shock absorption

Question 5

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the organization of gray and white matter in the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Gray matter is organized into horns, while white matter is organized into columns

Question 6

A patient has lost the ability to feel pain and temperature in their right leg. Which spinal cord tract is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Ascending spinothalamic tract

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why the spinal cord does not extend the entire length of the vertebral column in adults?

Accepted Answer

The vertebral column grows more rapidly than the spinal cord during development

Question 8

Which of the following protective features is shared by both the brain and the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Bone, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid

Question 9

A monosynaptic reflex arc, such as the patellar reflex, involves:

Accepted Answer

A direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron

Question 10

If the dorsal root of a spinal nerve is severed, what would be the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

Loss of sensory input from the area served by that nerve

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the function of descending tracts in the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Transmit motor commands from the brain to the body

Question 12

A patient presents with flaccid paralysis and loss of voluntary movement below the site of a spinal cord injury, but retains sensation. Which part of the spinal cord is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Ventral horn

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct order of the meninges from superficial to deep?

Accepted Answer

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

Question 14

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between the number of spinal nerves ($$N_{sn}$$), the number of cervical ($$N_c$$), thoracic ($$N_t$$), lumbar ($$N_l$$), sacral ($$N_s$$), and coccygeal ($$N_{co}) $$nerves?

Accepted Answer

$$N_{sn} = N_c + N_t + N_l + N_s + N_{co}$$

Question 15

During a lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted to collect cerebrospinal fluid. Which space is the needle inserted into?

Accepted Answer

Subarachnoid space

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the function of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Receives sensory information from the periphery

Question 17

A polysynaptic reflex arc differs from a monosynaptic reflex arc in that it:

Accepted Answer

Includes one or more interneurons between sensory and motor neurons

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why damage to the white matter of the spinal cord can result in both sensory and motor deficits?

Accepted Answer

White matter contains both ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts

Question 19

A patient is unable to perform voluntary movements on the left side of the body after a spinal cord injury. Which tract is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Left descending corticospinal tract

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of the central canal in the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

It contains cerebrospinal fluid and runs the length of the spinal cord

Central Nervous System: The Spinal Cord – Structure, Protection, and Function

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