Basic Spinal Cord Anatomy

Question 1

The spinal cord (SC) ends at _______.

Answer 1

L2

Question 2

The white matter outside is ______________.

Answer 2

MYELINATED

Question 3

The ______ matter inside is mostly unmyelinated.

Answer 3

GREY

Question 4

The SC extends from the __________ __________ to vertebra L1-2.

Answer 4

FORAMEN MAGNUM

Question 5

What is the name of the cone-shaped end of the spinal cord?

Answer 5

CONUS MEDULLARIS

Question 6

What is the spinal cord (SC) protected by?

Answer 6

VERTEBRAL COLUMN
\+
3 MENINGES
\+
CSF

Question 7

The ______ mater continues caudally beyond the SC as the filum terminale.

Answer 7

PIA

Question 8

What does the pia mater become as it continues caudally beyond the SC?

Answer 8

FILUM TERMINALE

Question 9

The filum terminale passes through the dura to attach to what, anchoring the spinal cord?

Answer 9

COCCYX

Question 10

What passes through the dura to help anchor the spinal cord to the coccyx?

Answer 10

FILUM TERMINALE

Question 11

What is the subarachnoid space (containing the cauda equina) filled with?

Answer 11

CSF

Question 12

What is the name given to the bundle of spinal nerves which originate in the conus medullaris at the L2?

Answer 12

CAUDA EQUINA

latin for horse’s tail

Question 13

The dura mater extends to _____.

Answer 13

S2

Question 14

What is the dura known as, where it extends to S2?

Answer 14

DURAL SHEATH
aka
DURAL SAC

Question 15

What is the epidural space located between?

Answer 15

DURA
+
INTERIOR SURFACE OF NEURAL CANAL

Question 16

What is the name of the ligaments which suspend the spinal cord within the dura, believed to stabilize the SC?

Answer 16

DENTICULATE

LIGAMENTS