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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Spinal Cord Anatomy Quiz: Test Nerves, Tracts, and Dermatomes

Quick, free spinal cord quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Katie ShieldsUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 11
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
High school students engaged in Spinal Anatomy Showdown, a trivia quiz for mastering spine structure and function.

This spinal cord anatomy quiz helps you check your understanding of cord segments, spinal nerves, tracts, dermatomes, and reflexes in 20 quick questions. To round out your study, try our vertebrae labeling quiz and brachial plexus quiz, or refresh orientation with a directional terms anatomy quiz.

Which spinal cord structure contains ascending fibers for fine touch, vibration, and proprioception from the lower body (below T6)?
Fasciculus gracilis (carries lower limb dorsal column modalities)
Fasciculus cuneatus
Spinocerebellar tract (ventral)
Spinothalamic tract
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The conus medullaris in adults typically ends at which vertebral level?
T12
L1-L2 (adult spinal cord terminates near this level)
L3-L4
S1
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Which roots carry motor fibers away from the spinal cord to muscles?
Dorsal rami only
White rami communicantes only
Dorsal (posterior) roots
Ventral (anterior) roots (contain efferent motor fibers)
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Dermatome corresponding to the umbilicus is at which spinal level?
T4
L1
T10 (classic dermatome landmark)
S2
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Which reflex primarily tests the integrity of the L3-L4 spinal segments?
Achilles reflex
Patellar (knee jerk) reflex (mediated mainly by L3-L4)
Triceps reflex
Biceps reflex
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In the cervical region, spinal nerves exit relative to their corresponding vertebrae in which pattern?
C1-C7 nerves exit above their vertebrae; C8 exits below C7
All cervical nerves exit below their vertebrae
C8 exits above C7
C1 exits below C1; others above
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Which spinal tract is primarily responsible for voluntary fine motor control of distal limbs?
Dorsal spinocerebellar tract
Anterior corticospinal tract
Lateral corticospinal tract (major voluntary motor pathway)
Reticulospinal tract
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Where do dorsal column fibers carrying touch and proprioception decussate?
In the thalamus
In the pons
At the level of entry in the spinal cord
In the medulla (internal arcuate fibers form medial lemniscus)
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Which spinal cord lamina contains the substantia gelatinosa important in pain modulation?
Lamina II (substantia gelatinosa)
Lamina I (marginal zone)
Lamina VII (Clarke)
Lamina IX
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Clarke's column (nucleus dorsalis) is found at which levels and contributes to which tract?
T1-L2; dorsal spinocerebellar tract (ipsilateral proprioception to cerebellum)
T6-L1; lateral corticospinal tract
L3-S2; ventral spinocerebellar tract
C1-C4; cuneocerebellar tract
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Fasciculus cuneatus is present at which levels and carries what information?
All levels; visceral pain
Below T6; lower limb pain and temperature
Above T6; upper limb fine touch, vibration, proprioception
Only cervical; motor control
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Where do pain and temperature fibers cross in the spinal cord?
In the dorsal column nuclei
In the internal capsule
Across the anterior white commissure within 1-2 segments of entry
At the medullary pyramids
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Which syndrome results from hemisection of the spinal cord and produces ipsilateral motor and vibration loss with contralateral pain loss?
Anterior cord syndrome
Brown-Sequard syndrome (classic hemisection pattern)
Posterior cord syndrome
Central cord syndrome
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A central canal cavitation damaging the anterior white commissure causes what clinical finding?
Bilateral loss of pain and temperature in a cape-like distribution (syringomyelia)
Ipsilateral LMN weakness only
Loss of vibration sense first
Spasticity without sensory loss
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Which fibers are targeted in an epidural anesthesia for labor?
Corticospinal tract fibers
Nerve roots in the epidural space (bathed by anesthetic)
Dorsal column axons only
Sympathetic chain ganglia directly
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Damage to the lateral corticospinal tract above the decussation causes which deficit pattern?
Contralateral weakness (UMN signs below the lesion)
LMN fasciculations at all levels
Ipsilateral weakness below the lesion
No motor deficit
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Which statement best describes Lissauer's tract (dorsolateral fasciculus)?
Descending motor fibers to axial muscles
Visceral efferents to pelvic organs
Thin zone where pain and temperature afferents ascend/descend 1-2 segments before synapse
Primary pathway for vibration sense
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Which spinal cord region is most vulnerable in anterior spinal artery infarction?
Only dorsal columns
Anterior two-thirds including corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts (dorsal columns spared)
Entire cord equally
Only the dorsal horn
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A lesion of the posterior columns produces which exam findings?
Flaccid paralysis of a single myotome
Spastic hemiparesis
Loss of pain and temperature only
Loss of vibration and position sense with positive Romberg (dorsal column deficit)
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Which spinal tract pathway crosses at the pyramidal decussation in the caudal medulla?
Spinothalamic tract
Lateral corticospinal tract (majority of corticospinal fibers)
Anterior corticospinal tract
Dorsal column-medial lemniscus
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the structural organization of the spine.
  2. Identify key vertebral components and their functions.
  3. Analyze the relationship between spinal anatomy and mobility.
  4. Evaluate common spinal mechanics and their impact on movement.
  5. Apply anatomical knowledge to assess spinal health scenarios.

Spinal Cord Quiz: Anatomy & Nerves Review Cheat Sheet

  1. The Spinal Cord Superhighway - Imagine a lightning-fast messaging system running from your brainstem down to your lower back, all protected by a column of strong vertebrae. This superhighway routes every thought-to-action command and sensory update.
  2. Four Regional Zones - The spinal cord is divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions, each acting like its own neighborhood delivering services to specific body areas. When you move your arms or feel a tickle in your toes, you're tapping into these distinct zones.
  3. Gray vs. White Matter - Gray matter is the processing hub packed with neuron cell bodies, while white matter is the high-speed data cable made of myelinated axons. Together, they handle analysis and transmission of all your sensory and motor messages.
  4. 31 Pairs of Nerve Branches - Your spinal cord branches into 31 pairs of spinal nerves - 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 tiny coccygeal - each pair controlling different muscles and sensations. It's like having 31 dedicated cables for every movement and feeling.
  5. Three Protective Meninges - Surrounding your cord are the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, acting as bodyguards to your neural VIP. They hold cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions impacts and delivers essential nutrients.
  6. The Filum Terminale Anchor - The filum terminale is a delicate fibrous strand that tethers the spinal cord's tapered tip (conus medullaris) to the tailbone, keeping everything snug and stable. Think of it as the anchor on a ship, preventing unwanted drift.
  7. Ascending & Descending Tracts - Sensory "up" routes carry messages to the brain, while motor "down" routes return action commands to your muscles. These bundled tracts ensure lightning-fast reflexes and coordinated moves.
  8. Spinal Reflexes in Action - Reflexes like the knee-jerk happen instantly at the spinal cord level, bypassing the brain for super-speedy responses. They keep you upright and protect you from harm before you even realize it.
  9. Autonomic Control Centers - Your involuntary systems - heart rate, digestion, and more - get their marching orders from spinal segments. The sympathetic chain rises in the thoracic/lumbar zones, while parasympathetic fibers originate in the sacral region.
  10. Critical Blood Supply - The anterior and posterior spinal arteries, offshoots of the vertebral arteries, bathe your cord in oxygen-rich blood. Without steady flow, both reflexes and conscious sensations would grind to a halt.
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