AFAMS Master Lesson Plan (MLP)
Nursing Program
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
Instructor
Serial/Semester
Location
Start/Finish Time
Date
LESSON OBJECTIVE
Performance: Describe the principal anatomical and functional features of the spinal cord and its
coverings, the meninges, and the vertebral column.
Conditions:
The student will be presented a powerpoint presentation by the instructor and will have
all necessary references made available to him/her.
Standard:
1.
The student will be expected to describe the below information included within the
teaching points to the instructor at the end of the lesson and in a written exam.
TEACHING POINTS
1. Define the spinal cord anatomy.
2. Describe the spinal cord physiology.
3. Describe the spinal nerves.
4. Describe the homeostatic imbalances associated with the spinal cord.
5. Define the medical terminology associated with the spinal cord.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Interactive Lecture
Method:
Instructor and Print (including PowerPoint Presentation)
Media:
Classroom
Environment:
OTHER LESSON SPECIFICATIONS
Knowledge Lesson
Type of Lesson:
1/50
Ratio:
Resources:
Power point handouts.
End of Lesson Test: None
Minutes
Instructional Time: 215
Reference(s):
Tortora, Grabowski: Principles of Anatomy and
Physiology, 9th Edition. Chapter 13.
LESSON PLAN APPROVAL
Signature of Standards Officer
Date
AFAMS Master Lesson Plan (MLP)
Nursing Program
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
INTRODUCTION
Allocated Time:
Review:
5 Minutes
You have had previous lectures on anatomy and physiology during the Combat
medic course, this lecture will built upon what you have already learned.
Objective:
This chapter first considers the principal anatomical and functional
features of the spinal cord and its coverings, the meninges, and the
vertebral column. Next, the spinal cord is discussed in terms of its
functions as a conduction pathway and a reflex center. Reflexes are
explained, important reflexes are categorized according to type, and
several clinically important reflexes are discussed. The disorders of the
nervous system considered are neuritis, shingles, and poliomyelitis.
Clinical applications include spinal tap (lumbar puncture), use of
reflexes to assess neurological impairment, spinal cord transection and
muscle function, injuries to the phrenic nerves, injuries to the nerves
emerging from the brachial plexus, lumbar injuries, and sciatic nerve
injury.
Importance:
Nurses work in different health care setting so it is important to gain an
understainding of this subject as it will apply to clinical setting.
Fit:
This is the thirteenth chapter on anatomy and physiology.
Approach:
You will be presented the subject in a lecture format and will be tested using a
written exam at a later date.
Control Statement:
If you have any questions during the lesson please feel free to ask.
BODY
1. Teaching Point: Define the spinal cord anatomy.
Minutes
Allocated Time:
We will now go over the spinal cord anatomy.
Introduction:
Learner Participation:
Knowledge Lesson Please follow along with your handouts and take notes.
Skill Lesson
Powerpoint presentation with associated handouts.
Learning Support:
1. Give a general overview of the function of the spinal cord and its interactions with the
brain and peripheral nerves.
Protective Structures
2. List the protective coverings for the spinal cord.
Vertebral Column
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AFAMS Master Lesson Plan (MLP)
Nursing Program
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
3. Review the structure of the vertebrae and associated connective tissue, and how they
protect the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
Meninges
4. Describe the characteristics and purpose of the three layers, spaces, and attachments of
the meningeal structures.
External Anatomy of the Spinal Cord
5. Describe the external features of the spinal cord and nerves, and discuss its relative length
within the vertebral column during development.
6. Describe the features of the spinal nerves as they emerge from the vertebral column.
7. Discuss how the position of the end of the spinal cord within the vertebral column
facilitates cerebrospinal fluid sampling for analysis.
Internal Anatomy of the Spinal Cord
8. Describe the anatomic position of gray and white matter within a cross section of the
spinal cord, and their relationships with the spinal nerves and tracts leading to and from
the brain.
2. Teaching Point: Describe the spinal cord physiology.
Minutes
Allocated Time:
We will now go over the spinal cord physiology.
Introduction:
Learner Participation:
Knowledge Lesson Please follow along with your handouts and take notes.
Skill Lesson
Powerpoint presentation with associated handouts.
Learning Support:
9. List the functions of the spinal cord.
Sensory and Motor Tracts
10. Describe the functions of the principal sensory and motor tracts of the spinal cord with
respect to sensory receptors, brain integration, and motor operation.
11. Identify the designations for the tracts that transmit specific types of information along
ascending and descending neural pathways of the spinal cord.
12. Discuss the significance of axons developing myelin sheaths at different times.
Reflexes and Reflex Arc
13. Define a reflex and distinguish between somatic and autonomic reflexes.
14. Describe the components of a reflex arc and its relationship to homeostasis.
Stretch Reflex
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AFAMS Master Lesson Plan (MLP)
Nursing Program
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
15. Explain the purpose of the stretch reflex, and then diagram the specific components of the
neural circuit pathways through the spinal cord to effectors to show how the reflex
operates.
Tendon Reflex
16. Explain the purpose of the tendon reflex, and then diagram the specific components of
the neural circuit pathways through the spinal cord to effectors to show how the reflex
operates.
The Flexor and Crossed Extensor Reflexes
17. Explain the purpose of the flexor and crossed extensor reflexes, and then diagram the
specific components of the neural circuit pathways through the spinal cord to effectors to
show how the reflex operates.
18. Explain how knowledge of reflex circuits helps interpret neurological impairment in the
plantar flexion and Babinski reflex tests.
3. Teaching Point: Describe the spinal nerves.
Minutes
Allocated Time:
We will now go over the spinal nerves.
Introduction:
Learner Participation:
Knowledge Lesson Please follow along with your handouts and take notes.
Skill Lesson
Powerpoint presentation with associated handouts.
Learning Support:
19. Discuss the naming and numbering of spinal nerves, the arrangement of spinal nerves
relative to the vertebrae, and the attachment of the spinal nerves to the spinal cord.
Connective Tissue Coverings of Spinal Nerves
20. Describe the connective tissue coverings of the spinal cord.
Distribution of Spinal Nerves
Branches
21. Discuss the branching of the spinal nerves once they emerge from the vertebral column.
Plexuses
22. Define a plexus, then describe the spinal root origins, interconnections, and names of
major nerves of the cervical, brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexuses according to their
anatomic destinations.
Intercostal Nerves
23. Describe the spinal root origins and destinations of the intercostal nerves.
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AFAMS Master Lesson Plan (MLP)
Nursing Program
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
Dermatomes
24. Illustrate the topographic relationship between spinal nerves and the location of sensory
receptors for which they transmit impulses.
25. Describe spinal cord injury and list the immediate and long-range effects.
Knowledge Lesson:
Skill Lesson:
Check on Learning
In a knowledge lesson, pose questions to the class.
In a skill lesson, provide practice and watch students perform a skill.
4. Teaching Point: Describe the homeostatic imbalances associated with the spinal cord.
Minutes
Allocated Time:
We will now go over the homeostatic imbalances associated with the spinal
Introduction:
cord.
Learner Participation:
Knowledge Lesson Please follow along with your handouts and take notes.
Skill Lesson
Powerpoint presentation with associated handouts.
Learning Support:
25. Explain the causes and symptoms of shingles, and poliomyelitis.
5. Teaching Point: Define the medical terminology associated with the spinal cord.
Minutes
Allocated Time:
We will now go over the medical terminology associated with the spinal cord.
Introduction:
Learner Participation:
Knowledge Lesson Please follow along with your handouts and take notes.
Skill Lesson
Powerpoint presentation with associated handouts.
Learning Support:
26. Define the medical terms related to the spinal cord.
Knowledge Lesson:
Skill Lesson:
Check on Learning
In a knowledge lesson, pose questions to the class.
In a skill lesson, provide practice and watch students perform a skill.
END OF LESSON TEST
Allocated Time:
Instructions:
Test Questions or
Performance
Expected:
Test Key:
CONCLUSION
4
0 Minutes
You will tested on this subject at a later date.
You will be expected to review and study the material taught in this section in
order to pass the associated written test. If you have difficulty with the material
please see me so we can review together.
AFAMS Master Lesson Plan (MLP)
Nursing Program
The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
Allocated Time:
Summary:
5 Minutes
Review and re-emphasize the difficult Teaching Points below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Define the spinal cord anatomy.
Describe the spinal cord physiology.
Describe the spinal nerves.
Describe the homeostatic imbalances associated with the spinal cord.
Define the medical terminology associated with the spinal cord.
Closing Statement:
Nurses work in different health care setting so it is important to gain an
understainding of this subject as it will apply to clinical setting.
Re-motivating
Statement:
You will be able to utilize this information taught today in all clinical settings.
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