Spinal Cord Flashcards
In horizontal view, what direction of the spinal cord tends to be largest?
transverse
What are the spinal cord enlargement locations and the name given to each?
C3-T1, the cervical enlargement
T9-T12, the lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement
Where is the greatest transverse diameter of the spinal cord?
C6
In which plane (or direction) will the diameter of the spinal cord decrease from C2-T1?
midsagittal or anterior-posterior plane
What spinal nerves originate from the lumbar enlargement?
L1-S3 spinal nerves
What is a generic cord level of origin - vertebral level combination for the lumbar enlargement?
L1, L2 cord levels in T9 vertebra
L3, L4 cord levels in T10 vertebra
L5, S1 cord levels in T11 vertebra
S2, S3 cord levels in T12 vertebra
What is the caudal end of the spinal cord called?
conus medullaris
What spinal nerves originate from the conus medullaris?
typically S4, S5, and Co1
In which vertebral foramen will the conus medullaris typically be observed?
L1
What is the name given to the nerve roots below L1?
cauda equina
What is the continuation of pia mater below the conus medullaris called?
filum terminale internum
What is the location and name given to the area where all meninges first converge at the caudal part of the vertebral column?
typically S2, the dural cul de sac
Neural tissue has been identified in what part of the filum terminale?
proximal part of the filum terminale internum
What is the fate of the neural tissue identified along the filum terminale internum?
it joins peripheral nerve roots of spinal nerves as high as L3 and as low as S4
What does the neural tissue associated with the filum terminale externum appear to innervate?
lower limbs and the external anal sphincter
