Gross Anatomy

Question 1

How long is the spinal cord for men? Women? Diameter?

Where does it end?

Answer 1

Men: 45cm

Women: 42 cm

Diameter: 1.0 -1.5 cm

Ends? At L1-L2

Question 2

Along the length of the cord are two observable enlargements, where are they and what do they mark?

Answer 2

Cervical region, Lumbar-sacral region

–The area of the SC that contains the neurons concerned with the UE and LE

Question 3

Rostrally the cord is continous with what?

Caudally it tapers in what?

Answer 3

• Medulla
• Conus Medullaris

Question 4

Due to the differential growth of the cord verses the spine, the long roots form a structure called?

Answer 4

Cauda Equina

Question 5

The epidural space in the SC is filled with what?

Answer 5

Fat

Question 6

The organization of the arachnoid is the same in the SC as it acts as…

Answer 6

the limiting componet for CSF containment

Question 7

How does the CSF get into the subarachnoid space of the spinal canal

Answer 7

After leaving the Foramina of Luschka and Magendie

Question 8

What is Lumbar cistern?

Answer 8

A large pocket of subarachnoid space below the caudal tip of the cord (present b/c SC ends at L1,L2

Question 9

Where are lumbar punctures (spinal taps) performed

Answer 9

Lumbar cistern

Question 10

What are denticulate ligaments and there purpose?

Answer 10

A component of the pia,

extensions that protrude from the latearl sides of the cord, to pierce the arachnoid and attach it to the dura

Purpose: help anchor and stablize the cord in the vertbral canal

Question 11

What is the filum terminale and what is it made up of?

Answer 11

Ligament at the end of the SC (conus medullaris) that anchors the SC

Made up of: Pia, Glial elements, remenants of coccygeal neuronal elements

Note: it is termed the coccygeal (sacral) ligament as it extends