Spinal Cord Overview and Anatomy

Region of spinal cord containing nerve fibers, neuroglia, and blood vessels arranged in funiculi (columns).

Butterfly-shaped region of the spinal cord containing neurons, neuroglia, and blood vessels.

Part of spinal cord gray matter, containing Alpha and Gamma motor neurons involved in voluntary movements.

Part of spinal cord gray matter, primarily processing sensory information.

10 organized layers within the gray matter differentiated by dimensions, shape, cell characteristics, and neuron density.

Involuntary reaction that occurs via spinal cord without conscious input - e.g., reflex pulling your hand away from fire.

Hollow tube within spinal cord filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Vertebral and radicular arteries supplying blood to spinal cord.

Extensions of the pia mater that suspend the spinal cord within the dural sac, anchoring it.

A portion of the spinal cord from which a pair of spinal nerves emerges.

Peripheral nerves that connect the spinal cord to the body, carrying sensory and motor information.

The specific area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.

Lines demarcating areas where neighboring dermatomes are not innervated by adjacent spinal nerves.

The spinal cord's length varies with age and sex; it's approximately 45 cm long in males and ends at different lumbar levels in adults and newborns.

The tapered lower end of the spinal cord.

A bundle of spinal nerve roots that descend below the conus medullaris.

Wider regions of the spinal cord where spinal nerves form major plexuses (brachial and lumbosacral).

The opening in the skull through which the spinal cord connects to the brain stem.

The three protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord :Dura mater, Arachnoid mater and Pia mater

The fibrous thread that extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx, anchoring the spinal cord.

The spinal cord's inferior end point differs between newborns and adults. Newborns end around L3, while adults end around L1.

The spinal cord is approximately 45cm long in males and ends at different lumbar levels in adults and newborns.

The spinal cord ends at L3 in newborns and L1 in adults.

The tapered lower end of the spinal cord.

A bundle of spinal nerve roots that descend below the conus medullaris.

Wider regions of the spinal cord where spinal nerves form major plexuses (brachial and lumbosacral).

The opening in the skull through which the spinal cord connects to the brain stem.

The three protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord: Dura mater, Arachnoid mater and Pia mater.

The fibrous thread that extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx, anchoring the spinal cord.

Extensions of the pia mater that suspend the spinal cord within the dural sac, anchoring it.

A portion of the spinal cord from which a pair of spinal nerves emerges.

Peripheral nerves connecting the spinal cord to the body, carrying sensory and motor information.

The specific area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.

Lines delineating neighboring dermatome areas not innervated by adjacent spinal nerves.

Butterfly-shaped region in the spinal cord containing neurons, neuroglia, and blood vessels.

Area in spinal cord containing nerve fibers, neuroglia, and blood vessels arranged in columns (funiculi).

Part of gray matter, containing motor neurons for voluntary movement (alpha & gamma).

Part of gray matter primarily processing sensory information.

Involuntary reaction that happens via spinal cord without brain input; e.g., pulling your hand from fire.

Hollow channel within the spinal cord, filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Vertebral and radicular arteries supply blood to the spinal cord.

A single artery formed by the union of two anterior spinal arteries; located along the anterior median fissure.

Spinal branches of neighboring arteries (like intercostal, lumbar) that provide blood to the spinal cord.

A significant radicular branch on the left side, supplying blood to lower thoracic and upper lumbar regions.

A network of veins (anterior, posterior, and venous vasocorona) draining blood from the spinal cord and connecting with the vertebral venous plexus.

Thoracic, abdominal, and intercostal veins, along with external and internal vertebral venous plexuses connect to the epidural plexus at the foramen magnum