Spinal Cord Anatomy Quiz

• The spinal cord consists of several structures, including the conus medullaris, cauda equina, filum terminale, and spinal meninges.
• The conus medullaris is a medullary cone located at the end of the spinal cord, while the cauda equina is a collection of nerve roots that continue beyond the termination of the spinal cord.
• The filum terminale is a long, thin tissue that extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx and serves to anchor the spinal cord to the end of the dural sac.
• The spinal cord is surrounded and protected by three connective tissue coverings: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
• The dura mater is the thickest and strongest of the three layers, serving as a durable protective covering for the spinal cord. It is continuous with the cranial dura mater at the cranial end and joins the filum terminale at the caudal end.
• The arachnoid mater is a thin, transparent layer that forms a spider-web like structure around the spinal cord. It carries blood vessels and separates the spinal cord from the dura mater.
• The pia mater is the innermost layer of the spinal meninges, which adheres closely to the surface of the spinal cord. It terminates at the inferior limit of the spinal cord and contains the central canal, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and extends throughout the length of the cord.
• The epidural space is a potential space located between the outermost layer of the spinal meninges (dura mater) and the walls of the vertebral canal. It contains loose connective and adipose tissue and serves as a site for anesthetic injections.
• The denticulate ligaments are double folds of pia mater that extend from the lateral aspects of the cord, penetrate the arachnoid, and attach to the inner surface of the dura. They allow the cord to "float" in the spinal canal and alternate with the points of exit of nerve roots.
• The central canal, also known as the ependymal canal, is a continuous structure filled with CSF that extends throughout the length of the spinal cord. It helps transport nutrients to the cord and protects it by cushioning against impact.
• The spinal cord contains several fissures and sulci that divide it into right and left halves. The anterior median fissure is a deep longitudinal fissure, while the posterior median sulcus is a shallow furrow. The spinal cord is joined by a commissural band of tissue that contains the central canal.
• The posteriorolateral sulcus is a sulcus that runs laterally from the posterior median sulcus on each side of the spinal cord.
• The size and shape of the central canal varies along the length of the spinal cord, with it being situated nearer the anterior aspect at the cervical and thoracic segments and in the center at the lumbar segments. In the conus medullaris, it is located in the posterior third and is lined by ciliated, columnar epithelium.
• The central canal, also known as the terminal ventricle or the ampulla caudalis, is a structure located at the transition from the tip of the conus medullaris to the origin of the filum terminale. It is a fusiform, widest part of the central canal that is visible in newborns and up to 5 years of age, but regresses during the first weeks after birth.
• The spinal cord contains several fissures and sulci that divide it into right and left halves. The anterior median fissure is a deep longitudinal fissure, while the posterior median sulcus is a shallow furrow. The spinal cord is joined by a commissural band of tissue which contains the central canal. The posteriorolateral sulcus is a sulcus that runs laterally from the posterior median sulcus on each side of the spinal cord.

Test your knowledge of the gross anatomy of the spinal cord with this quiz. Questions cover the entry points of dorsal roots, the number of spinal nerves, and the numbering of vertebrae.