spinal cord anatomy

spinal cord begin at

foramen magnum and tapper to a tip(conus medullaris)

where does the spinal cord end

L1 or L2 vertebra

what is the spinal cord anchored to?

coccyx filum terminate

what is the spinal cord functions

provides two way communication to and from the brain

integrates and processes information independent of the brain

cauda equina

"horse's tail", a fan of nerve fibers below the spinal cord

where is the central canal

where is the anterior median fissure

where is the posterior median sulcus

what are the types of protection of the spinal cord?

bone- vertebral canal

CSF

Meninges

Pia Mater

continuous with the pia of the brain

firmly bound to underlying neural tissue

provides support for arteries that supply the spinal cord

denticulate ligaments

a fibrous projection from pia to anchor cord to the dura mater until T12

at terminus of card pia continues as

filum terminale

arachnoid trabeculae

stretching between the arachnoid and pia membranes

subarachnoid space

filled with CSF

continuous with the subarachnoid space of brain

lumbar puncture

dura mater

attached superiorly to bone at foramen magnum

blends with epineurium

ends in sacral canal at S2 or S3

epidural space

true space

subdural space

potential space

white matter in the spinal cord

between parts of the spina cord

from spinal cord to parts of the brain

from parts of the brain to spinal cord

what are the white matter tracts

posterior funiculus (sensory)

lateral funiculus (sensory and motor)

anterior funiculus( sensory and motor)

anterior white commissure

gray matter in spinal cord

posterior horns, anterior horns, lateral horns, central canal

posterior horns

synapses between sensory neuron axons and interneurons

anterior horns

cell bodies of somatic motor nerves

lateral horn

cell bodies of autonomic motor nerves, only T1-L2

gray commissure

connects masses of gray matter on left and right; encloses central canal