Spinal Cord Anatomy Overview

Spinal Cord Structure

• The spinal cord is approximately 45cm (18 inches) long in adult humans.
• The cervical bulging in the spinal cord is caused by the cervical enlargement, which is responsible for the nerve supply to the upper limbs.
• The terminal part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris.
• The spinal cord starts at the foramen magnum, which is a specific region at the base of the skull.
• The lumbosacral bulging in the spinal cord is significant because it is responsible for the nerve supply to the lower limbs.
• The length of the spinal cord is similar to the length of the vertebral column, which is approximately 45cm (18 inches) long in adult humans.
• The spinal cord has three main coverings: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
• The cervical bulging occurs in the spinal cord due to the increased nerve supply to the upper limbs, which requires a larger amount of nerve tissue.

Learn about the structure of the spinal cord, including its beginning at the medulla oblongata and ending between L1 & L2. Explore terms like conus medullaris and cauda equina, which are vital parts of the spinal cord anatomy.