Spinal Cord: Gross Structure

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the gross anatomy of the spinal cord, its meninges, blood supply, nerve roots, and key structural landmarks like the conus medullaris and cauda equina.

Conus medullaris

The tapered, inferior end of the spinal cord that ends at lumbar vertebrae $1$ or $2$ in adults.

Cauda equina

A collection of posterior and anterior spinal roots resembling a horse's tail, located below the conus medullaris.

Spinal nerve pairs

The total number of pairs of spinal nerves in the human body, which is $31$.

Cervical spinal segments

The spinal cord contains $8$ cervical spinal segments, despite there being only $7$ cervical vertebrae.

Fascicle

A term for a bundle of nerve fibres where each element has its own coating.

Epineurium and Perineurium blood supply

Layers of peripheral nerves that contain blood vessels.

Endoneurium blood supply

The innermost layer of peripheral nerves which is supplied by capillaries.

Denticulate ligament

Lateral extensions of the pia mater that anchor the spinal cord to the dura mater.

Filum terminale

A slender strand of fibrous tissue extending from the conus medullaris to the end of the dural sac.

Dural sac (lumbar cistern)

The tubular sheath of spinal dura mater containing the spinal cord and the cauda equina.

Epidural space

The space containing fatty tissue and the posterior and anterior internal vertebral venous plexuses.

Subarachnoid space

The fluid-filled space between the spinal arachnoid and the spinal cord.

Posterior (dorsal) root

The nerve root that carries sensory information and includes the spinal ganglion.

Anterior (ventral) root

The nerve root that carries motor information, formed from anterior rootlets.

Gray matter, posterior horn

The region of spinal gray matter primarily involved in receiving sensory input from the posterior root.

Gray matter, anterior horn

The region of spinal gray matter primarily involved in motor output.

Cervical enlargement

A thickened area of the spinal cord that corresponds to the nerves of the upper limbs.

Lumbosacral enlargement

A thickened area of the spinal cord that corresponds to the nerves of the lower limbs.