Spinal Cord

Question 1

Describe the spinal cord

Answer 1

-extends from the foremen magnum of the skull down to the first/second lumbar vertebra that provides a 2-way conduction pathway
-31 pairs of spinal nerves arise from the spinal cord
-cauda equina is a collection of spinal nerves at the inferior end

Question 2

Describe the anatomy of the spinal cord

Answer 2

-internal gray matter is mostly cell bodies and surrounds central canal
-has dorsal (posterior) and ventral (anterior) horns
-central canal is filled with CSF
-meninges cover spinal cord
-spinal nerves leave at the level of each vertebra