Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neurophysiological Investigation of the Spinal Cord

  • Chapter
Diseases of the Spinal Cord

Part of the book series: Clinical Medicine and the Nervous System ((CLIN.MED.NERV.))

Abstract

The spinal cord is a long structure that extends from the post-cervical segment, lotated just caudal to the foramen magnum, to the conus medullaris which, in adults, is located at about the L1vertebral level. The spinal nerve roots leave the cord by passing slightly caudally to reach the appropriate intervertebral foramina on each side, the ventral and dorsal nerve roots fusing just distal to the posterior root ganglion to form mixed motor and sensory roots. These nerve roots form major branching plexuses in the cervical and lumbosacral regions in which the peripheral nerves innervating the limbs are formed but, in the thoracic region, the mixed nerve roots remain separate and form intercostal nerves. Thus the segmental organization of the human spinal cord reflects the underlying metameric differentiation of body segments in other species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abbruzzese G, Dall’agata D, Morena M, et al. (1988) Electrical stimulation of the motor tracts in cervical spondylosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:796–802

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aminoff MJ (1984) The clinical role of somatosensory evoked potential studies: a critical appraisal. Muscle Nerve 7:345–354

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ammassian VE, Gracco RQ, Maccabee PJ (1989) Focal stimulation of human cerebral cortex with the magnetic coil: a comparison with electrical stimulation. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 74:401–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson NE, Frith RW, Synek VM (1986) Somatosensory evoked potentials in syringomyelia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 49:1407–1410

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Angell RW, Hoffmann WW (1963) The H reflex in normal, spastic and rigid subjects. Arch Neurol 9:591–596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armon C, Daube JR (1989) Electrophysiological signs of arteriovenous malformations of the spinal cord. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 52:1176–1181

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barker AT, Jalinous R, Freeston IL (1985) Non-invasive magnetic stimulation of human motor cortex. Lancet 2:1106–1107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumhefner RW, Tourtellotte WW, Syndulko K, et al. (1990) Quantitative multiple sclerosis plaque assessment with magnetic resonance imaging. Arch Neurol 47:19–26

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berardelli A, Inghilleri M, Formisano R, et al. (1987) Stimulation of motor tracts in motor neuron disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 50:732–737

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berger AR, Shahani BT (1989) Electrophysiologic evaluation of spinal cord motor conduction. Muscle Nerve 12:976–980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein LP, Antel JP (1981) Motor neuron disease: dereentai responses to repetitive nerve stimulation. Neurology 31:202–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd SG, Rothwell JC, Cowan JM, et al. (1986) A method of monitoring function in corticospinal pathways during scoliosis surgery with a note on motor conduction velocities. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 49:251–257

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burke D, Skuse NF, Lethlean AK (1981) Cutaneous and muscle afferent components of the cerebral potential evoked by electrical stimulation of human peripheral nerves. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 51:579–588

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cashman VR, Maselli, R, Wollman RL, et al. (1987) Late denervation in patients with antecedent paralytic poliomyelitis. N Engl J Med 317:7–12

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chatrian GE, Burger MS, Wirch AL (1988) Discrepancy between intraoperative SSEP’s and post-operative function. J Neurosurg 69:450–454

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiappa K (1980) Pattern-shift visual, brain stem auditory and short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 30:110–123

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiappa KH (1983) Evoked potentials in clinical medicine. Raven, New York, pp 1–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiappa KH, Ropper AH (1982) Evoked potentials in clinical medicine 2. N Engl J Med 306:1205–1211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Claus D. Harding AE. Hess CW, et al. (1988) Central motor conduction in degenerative ataxic disorders: a magnetic stimulation study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:790–795

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colon EJ, Rottevell JJ, Stegeman DF, et al. (1988) Abnormal EMG and SSEP in a young child with an ependymoma. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 90:249–252

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conradi S, Grimby L, Lundemo G (1982) Pathophysiology of fasciculations in ALS as studied by electromyography of single motor units. Muscle Nerve 5:202–208

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan JMA, Dick JPR, Day BL, et al. (1984) Abnormalities in central motor pathway conduction in multiple sclerosis. Lancet 2:304–307

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cruikshank JK, Rudge P, Dalgliesh AG, et al. (1989) Tropical spastic paraparesis and human T cell lymphotropic virus Type 1 in the United Kingdom. Brain 112:1057–1090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson GD (1954) A summation technique for the detection of small evoked potentials. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 6:65–84

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denny-Brown D, Pennybacker JB (1938) Fibrillation and fasciculation in voluntary muscle. Brain 61:311–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitrijevic MR (1986) Neurocontrol of the upper motor neuron and progressive neuromuscular diseases. In: Dimitrijevic MR, Kakulas BA, Vrbovâ G (eds) Recent achievements in restorative neurology. 2. Progressive neuromuscular diseases. Karger, Basel, pp 39–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Donofrio PD, Walker FO (1988) Tabes dorsalis: electrodiagnostic features. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:1087–1089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisen A, Yufe R, Trop D, et al. (1978) Reduced neuromuscular transmission safety factor in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 28:598–602

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eisen A, Shtybel W, Murphy K, et al. (1990) Cortical magnetic stimulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 13:146–151

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fincham RW, Cape CA (1968) Sensory nerve conduction in syringomyelia. Neurology 18:200–201

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fine EJ, Soria E, Paroski MW, et al. (1990) The neurophysiological profile of vitamin B12 deficiency. Muscle Nerve 13:158–164

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher MA (1983) F response analysis of motor disorders of central origin. J Neurol Sci 62:13–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ganes T (1980) Somatosensory conduction times and peripheral cervical and cortical evoked potentials in patients with cervical spondylosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 43:683–689

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner-Thorpe C, Foster JB, Barwick DD (1976) Unusual manifestations of Herpes zoster. J Neurol Sci 28:427–447

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gout O, Gessain A, Bolgert F, et al. (1989) Chronic myelopathies associated with human T lymphotropic virus Type 1. Arch Neurol 46:255–260

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halstead LS, Rossi CD (1985) New problems in old polio patients: results of a survey of 539 polio survivors. Orthopedics 8:845–853

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harding AE (1984) The hereditary ataxias and related disorders. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper CM, Daube JR, Litchey WJ, et al. (1988) Lumbar radiculopathy after a spinal fusion for scoliosis. Muscle Nerve 11:386–391

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helweg-Larsen S, Jakobsen J, Bosen F, et al. (1988) Myelopathy in AIDS: a clinical, neuroradiological and electrophysiological study of 23 Danish patients. Acta Neurol Scand 77:64–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hess CW, Mills KR, Murray NMF, et al. (1989) Magnetic brain stimulation: central motor conduction studies in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 22:744–752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram DA, Swash M (1987) Central motor conduction is abnormal in motor neuron disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 50:159–166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram DA, Thompson AJ, Swash M (1988) Central motor conduction in multiple sclerosis: evaluation of abnormalities revealed by transcutaneous magnetic stimulation of the brain. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:487–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson GP, Tew JM (1987) Intraoperative evoked potential monitoring. J Clin Neurophysiol 4:145–176

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James PB (1988) Late changes in the motor unit after acute poliomyelitis. Muscle Nerve 4:524–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Janko M, Trontelj JV, Gersak K (1989) Fasciculation in motor neuron disease: discharge rate reflects extent and recency of collateral sprouting. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 52:1375–1381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jellinek EH, Tulloch WS (1976) Herpes zoster with dysfunction of bladder and anus. Lancet 2:1219–1222

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones SJ (1977) Short latency potentials recorded from the neck and scalp following median nerve stimulation in man. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 43:853–863

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kakigi R, Shibasaki H, Kuroda Y, et al. (1988) Multimodality evoked potentials in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:1094–1096

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan PW, Hosford DA, Werner MH, et al. (1988) Somatosensory evoked potentials in a patient with a cervical glioma and syrinx. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 70:563–565

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katifi HA, Sedgwick EM (1986) Somatosensory evoked potentials from posterior tibial nerve and lumbosacral dermatomes. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 35:249–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura J (1983) F wave determination in nerve conduction studies. In: Desmedt JE (ed) Motor control mechanisms in health and disease. Raven, New York, pp 961–975

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura J (1985) Abuse and misuse of evoked potentials as a diagnostic test. Arch Neurol 42:78–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimura J (1989) Electrodiagnosis: in diseases of nerve and muscle, 2nd edk.. Davis, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitagawa H, Itoh T, Takano H, et al. (1989) Motor evoked potential monitoring during upper cervical spine surgery. Spine 14:1078–1083

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesser RP, Lueders H, Dinner DS, et al. (1985) Technical aspects of surgical monitoring using evoked potentials. In: Struppler A, Weindl A (eds) Electromyography and evoked potentials. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp 177–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesser RP, Randzens P, Lueders H, et al. (1986) Postoperative neurological deficits may occur despite unchanged intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials. Ann Neurol 19:22–25

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levy WJ (1984) Clinical experience with motor and cerebellar evoked potential monitoring. Neurosurgery 20:169–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Masur H, Elgar CE, Render K, et al. (1989) Functional deficits of central sensory and motor pathways in patients with cervical spinal stenosis: a study of SEPs and EMG responses to non-invasive brain stimulation. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 74:450–457

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews WB, Beauchamp M, Small DG (1974) Cervical somatosensory evoked responses in man. Nature 252:230–232

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews WB, Wattam-Bell JRB, Pountney E (1982) Evoked potentials in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; a follow up study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 45:303–307

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews WB, Acheson ED, Batchelor JR, Weller RO (1985) McAlpine’s multiple sclerosis. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer RF (1965) Peripheral nerve function in vitamin B12 deficiency. Arch Neurol 13:355–362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLeod JG (1971) An electrophysiological and pathological study of peripheral nerves in Friedreich’s ataxia. J Neurol Sci 12:333–349

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merton PA, Morton HB (1980a) Stimulation of the cerebral cortex in the intact human subject. Nature 285:227

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merton PA, Morton HB (1980b) Electrical stimulation of human motor and visual cortex through the scalp. J Physiol 305:9–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills KR, Murray NMF (1986) Electrical stimulation over the human vertebral column: which neuronal elements are excited? Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 63:582–589

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nurmikko T, Bowsher D (1990) Somatosensory findings in post-herpetic neuralgia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 53:135–141

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oppenheimer DR (1978) The cervical cord in multiple sclerosis. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 4:151–162

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panayiotopoulos CP (1979) F chronodispersion: a new electrophysiologic method. Muscle Nerve 2:68–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen L, Trojaborg W (1981) Visual, auditory and somatosensory pathway involvement in hereditary cerebellar ataxia, Friedreich’s ataxia and familial spastic paraplegia. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 52:283–297

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peiogolu-Harmoussi S, Fawcett PRW, Howel D, et al. (1989) F response frequency in motor neuron disease and cervical spondylosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 50:593–599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petito CK, Cho E-S, Lemann W, et al. (1988) Neuropathology of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): an autopsy review. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 45:636–646

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth G (1984) Fasciculations and their F response. J Neurol Sci 63:299–306

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothwell JC, Thompson PD, Day BL, et al. (1987) Motor cortex stimulation in intact man. 1. General characteristics of EMG responses in different muscles. Brain 110:1173–1190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schriefer TN, Hess CW, Mills KR, et al. (1989) Central motor conduction studies in motor neuron disease using magnetic brain stimulation. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 74:431–437

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz MS, Swash M (1982) Pattern of involvement in the cervical segments in the early stage of motor neuron disease — a single fibre EMG study. Acta Neurol Scand 65:424–431

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz MS, Stalberg E, Swash M (1980) Pattern of segmental motor involvement in syringomyelia: a single fibre EMG study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 43:150–155

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sclabassi RJ, Namerow NS, Enns NF (1974) Somatosensory response to stimulus trains in patients with multiple sclerosis. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 37:23–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sedgwick EM, Katifi HA (1987) How to record and interpret dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSEP). J Electrophysiol Technol 13:51–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith SJM, Claus D, Hess CW, et al. (1989) F responses and central motor conduction in multiple sclerosis. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 74:438–443

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith T, Trojaborg W (1988) Somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal decompression sickness. Lancet 1:364–365

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snooks SJ, Swash M (1985) Motor conduction velocity in the human spinal cord: slowed conduction in multiple sclerosis and radiation myelopathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 48:1135–1139

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stalberg E (1982) Macroelectromyography in reinnervation. Muscle Nerve 5:S135-S138

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stalberg E, Thiele B (1975) Motor unit fibre density in the extensor digitorum communis muscle. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 38:874–880

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stalberg E, Schwartz MS, Trontelj JV (1975) Single fibre electromyography in various processes affecting the anterior horn cell. J Neurol Sci 24:403–415

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stark RJ, Kennard C, Swash M (1981) Hand wasting in spondylitic high cord compression. Ann Neurol 9:58–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stöhr M, Büttner UW, Riffel B, et al. (1982) Spinal somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical cord lesions. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 54:251–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Swash M, Schwartz MS (1982) A longitudinal study of changes in motor units in motor neuron disease. J Neurol Sci 56:185–197

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swash M, Schwartz MS (1988) Neuromuscular diseases, 2nd edn. Springer-Verlag, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Swash M, Schotz CL, Vowles G, et al. (1988) Selective and asymmetric vulnerability of corticospinal and cerebellar tracts in motor neuron disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:785–789

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang L-M, Schwartz MS, Swash M (1988) Postural effects on F wave in lumbosacral root compression and canal stenosis. Brain 111:13–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson PC, Dick JPR, Asselman P, et al. (1987) Examination of motor function in lesions of the spinal cord by stimulation of the motor cortex. Ann Neurol 21:389–396

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tornado H, Shibasaki H, Hirata J, et al. (1988) Central versus peripheral nerve conduction before and after treatment of subacute combined degeneration. Arch Neurol 45:526–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ugawa Y, Kohara N, Shimpo T, et al. (1988) Central motor and sensory conduction in adrenoleucomyeloneuropathy, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, HTLV-1 associated myelopathy and tabes dorsalis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 51:1069–1074

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uhthoff W (1889) Untersuchungen über die bei der multiplen Herdsklerose vorkommenden Augenstörungen. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr 21:55–116, 303–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanasse M, Garcia Larrea L, Neuschwander P, et al. (1988) Evoked potential studies in Friedreich’s ataxia and progressive early-onset cerebellar ataxia. Can J Neurol Sci 15:292–298

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weichers DO, Hubbell ST (1981) Late changes in the motor unit after acute poliomyelitis. Muscle Nerve 4:524–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weir A, Hansen S, Ballantyne JP (1979) Single fibre electromyographic jitter in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 42:1146–1150

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams C, Kozlowski MA, Hinton DR, et al. (1990) Degeneration of spinocerebellar neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol 27:215–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zegers de Beyl D, Delecluse F, Verbanck P, et al. (1988) Somatosensory conduction in vitamin B12 deficiency. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 69:313–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. M. S. Schwartz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Swash
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, PR2 4HT, Preston, Lancashire, UK

    Edmund Critchley DM, FRCP (Consultant Neurologist) (Consultant Neurologist)

  2. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4E3, Canada

    Andrew Eisen MD, FRCP(C) (Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Head of the Neuromuscular Disease Unit) (Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Head of the Neuromuscular Disease Unit)

  3. Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4E3, Canada

    Andrew Eisen MD, FRCP(C) (Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Head of the Neuromuscular Disease Unit) (Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Head of the Neuromuscular Disease Unit)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1992 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Schwartz, M.S., Swash, M. (1992). Neurophysiological Investigation of the Spinal Cord. In: Critchley, E., Eisen, A. (eds) Diseases of the Spinal Cord. Clinical Medicine and the Nervous System. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3353-7_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3353-7_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-3355-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-3353-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation