The Spinal Cord

“an extension of the brainstem that begins at the foramen magnum and continues down through the vertebral canal to the first lumbar vertebra just below the ribs”

Features of the Spinal Cord Diameter- Length- Location- Conus Medullaris- Cauda Equina (horse tail)- Spinal nerves-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUih9oMyPqc

Spinal cord is composed of both gray and white matter Gray matter- White matter-

Spinal Cord Dissection

The Meninges Dura Mater-Arachnoid-Pia Mater

What is CSF ??? Cerebrospinal fluid

The Reflex Arc Neural pathway of a reflex What is a reflex ? A reflex may be Autonomic Somatic

All reflexes have a minimum of 5 elements 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

REFLEX ARCS

Disorders of the Spinal Cord Meningitis symptoms- bacterial- viral- prevention-

Lumbar Puncture

http://www. youtube. com/watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYv3hT1TpAw&list=LPExUS6ucMDeE&index=1&feature=plcp

Spina Bifida What is Spina Bifida? Spina Bifida literally means “split spine.” Spina Bifida happens when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column does not close all of the way. Spina Bifida is the most common birth defect that disables people for life. Every day, about eight babies born in the United States have Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine.  What causes Spina Bifida? No one knows for sure. Scientists believe that genetic and environmental factors act together to cause the condition.

What Conditions are Associated with Spina Bifida? Children and young adults with Spina Bifida can have mental and social problems. They also can have problems with walking and getting around or going to the bathroom, latex allergy, obesity, skin breakdown, gastrointestinal disorders,learning disabilities, depression, tendonitis

What Can You Do to Prevent Spina Bifida What Can You Do to Prevent Spina Bifida? Women who are old enough to have babies should take folic acid before and during the first three months of pregnancy. Because half of the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the Spina Bifida Association asks women to take a vitamin with 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid each day during the years of their lives when they are possibly able to have children. Women who have a child or sibling with Spina Bifida, have had an affected pregnancy or have Spina Bifida themselves should take 4000 mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for one to three months before and during the first three months of pregnancy. What is Folic Acid? Folic acid is a vitamin that the body needs to grow and be healthy. It is found in many foods, but the man-made or synthetic form in pills is actually better absorbed by our bodies.

Trauma-

This scale is for newborns and is scored at 1 min & 5 min. APGAR Scale This scale is for newborns and is scored at 1 min & 5 min. Heart rate Absent- 0 points < 100- 1 point 100- 2 points Respiration effort Slow, irregular-1 point Strong cry- 2 points Muscle Tone Flaccid- 0 points Some flex- 1 point Act. motion- 2 points Irritability No response- 0 points Some- 1 point Vigorous- 2 points Color Blue, pale- 0 points Body: pink, Extremities: blue- 1 point Fully pink- 2 points Infants with scores of 7-10 usually require supportive care only. A score of 4-6 indicates moderate depression. Infants with scores of 3 or less require aggressive resuscitation.

Electroencephalogram An EEG is...

Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctwXQ5xK4PU

Positron Emission Tomography PET

Ultrasound Imaging