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Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 11th EditionCh. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal ReflexesProblem 3
Chapter 13, Problem 3

Spinal nerves are called mixed nerves because they
(a) Contain sensory and motor fibers
(b) Exit at intervertebral foramina
(c) Are associated with a pair of spinal ganglia
(d) Are associated with posterior and anterior roots

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the term 'mixed nerves' in the context of spinal nerves. Mixed nerves are those that carry both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) fibers.
Recall the anatomy of spinal nerves: they arise from the spinal cord and contain fibers from both the dorsal (posterior) root, which carries sensory information, and the ventral (anterior) root, which carries motor information.
Analyze each option: (a) states that spinal nerves contain sensory and motor fibers, which aligns with the definition of mixed nerves.
(b) mentions the exit point of spinal nerves (intervertebral foramina), which is true but does not define why they are called mixed nerves.
(c) refers to spinal ganglia, which are associated with sensory neurons but do not explain the mixed nature of the nerve.
(d) mentions association with posterior and anterior roots, which is related to their structure but the key reason they are mixed nerves is the presence of both sensory and motor fibers.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mixed Nerves

Mixed nerves contain both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) fibers, allowing them to transmit signals to and from the central nervous system. This dual function enables coordination of sensory input and motor output within the same nerve.
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Spinal Nerve Anatomy

Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord through intervertebral foramina and are formed by the union of dorsal (sensory) and ventral (motor) roots. This anatomical structure is essential for their mixed function.
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Spinal Ganglia and Roots

Spinal ganglia (dorsal root ganglia) contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons, while anterior (ventral) roots carry motor fibers. The association of these roots and ganglia explains the mixed nature of spinal nerves.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

A sensory region monitored by the posterior rami of a single spinal segment is

(a) A ganglion

(b) A fascicle

(c) A dermatome

(d) A ramus

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Textbook Question

The major nerve of the cervical plexus that innervates the diaphragm is the

(a) Median nerve

(b) Axillary nerve

(c) Phrenic nerve

(d) Common fibular nerve

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Textbook Question

The following are the steps involved in a neural reflex.

1. Activation of a sensory neuron

2. Activation of a motor neuron

3. Response by an effector

4. Arrival of a stimulus and activation of a receptor

5. Information processing

The proper sequence of these steps is

(a) 1, 3, 4, 5, 2

(b) 4, 5, 3, 1, 2

(c) 4, 1, 5, 2, 3

(d) 4, 3, 1, 5, 2

(e) 3, 1, 4, 5, 2

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Textbook Question

The anterior roots of each spinal segment

(a) Bring sensory information into the spinal cord

(b) Control peripheral effectors

(c) Contain the axons of somatic motor and visceral motor neurons

(d) Do both b and c

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