Macroscopy of the spinal cord, its meninges and blood supply.

what is longer, the vertebral canal or the spinal chord

the vertebral canal is longer, it continues its growth until the age of 14-18, but the spinal chord only grows until 4 years of age, that’s why t occupies only the upper 2/3rds of the vertebral canal.

the spinal chord is a continuation of what

the brainstem.

Where does the spinal chord terminate:

at the conus medullaris at the level of L2/L3

Something extends from the conus medullaris

The filum terminale, a thin thread like structure, which makes its way until the first coccygeal vertebrae, and ANCHORS the spinal chord.

Segments of the spinal chord, amount?

• Cervical – 7 vertebrae (C1 to C7)

• Thoracic – 12 vertebrae (T1 to T12)

• Lumbar – 5 vertebrae (L1 to L5)

• Sacral – 5 vertebrae (S1 to S5), fused into the sacrum

• Coccygeal – 4 vertebrae (Co1 to Co4), fused into the coccyx

Amount of spinal nerves?

Spinal Nerves
8 pairs (C1–C8)
12 pairs (T1–T12)
5 pairs (L1–L5)
5 pairs (S1–S5)
1 pair (Co1)

What are the three meningeal layers surrounding the spinal cord?

Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater

What are the two layers of the dura mater?

Outer layer (Endorachis) and inner layer (Dura mater spinalis)

What forms the dural sleeves?

The inner dura mater spinalis through the intervertebral foramina

What are leptomeninges?

Arachnoid mater + Pia mater

What is found in the epidural space?

Adipose tissue, internal vertebral venous plexus, spinal arteries

What is the clinical use of the epidural space?

Site for anesthetic administration (epidural anesthesia)

What is the subdural space?

A virtual space with no bridging veins

What is the subarachnoid space and where does it extend to?

Space between arachnoid and pia mater; extends to S2

What does the subarachnoid space contain?

CSF, arteries

What is the lumbar cistern and its clinical relevance?

An enlargement of subarachnoid space below conus medullaris; site for lumbar puncture

What is the pia mater continuous with?

The endoneurium

What is the denticulate ligament?

Lateral pia projections anchoring spinal cord to dura mater through arachnoid

What does arachnoid mater continue as?

Perineurium

What does dura mater continue as in the peripheral nerves?

Epineurium

Name the 3 main arteries of the spinal cord.

Anterior spinal artery, Posterior spinal arteries, Arcuate arteries (vasocorona Anastomosis between anterior and posterior spinal arteries)

What is the artery of Adamkiewicz?

A large segmental artery (Th9–Th12) supplying lower 2/3 of spinal cord via anterior spinal artery

What drains vertebral bodies and connects to venous plexuses?

Basivertebral veins