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Questions and Answers
What is the approximate length of the spinal cord in females?
What is the approximate length of the spinal cord in females?
At what level does the spinal cord end in adults?
At what level does the spinal cord end in adults?
What anatomical feature surrounds the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid?
What anatomical feature surrounds the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid?
Which of the following segments corresponds to the cervical enlargement?
Which of the following segments corresponds to the cervical enlargement?
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What feature of the spinal cord is deepest among its longitudinal grooves?
What feature of the spinal cord is deepest among its longitudinal grooves?
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What does 'cauda equina' refer to?
What does 'cauda equina' refer to?
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Which spinal cord section shows an H-shaped gray matter structure?
Which spinal cord section shows an H-shaped gray matter structure?
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Which of the following statements about the spinal cord's development is true?
Which of the following statements about the spinal cord's development is true?
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Why must the roots of spinal nerves descend in the subarachnoid space?
Why must the roots of spinal nerves descend in the subarachnoid space?
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Which level of the vertebral column can lumbar puncture be safely performed?
Which level of the vertebral column can lumbar puncture be safely performed?
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Study Notes
Spinal Cord Structure and Location
- The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system and is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
- Located within the vertebral column, it occupies the upper 2/3 of the vertebral column.
- It begins at the lower border of the foramen magnum of the skull, connecting to the medulla oblongata.
- In females, the spinal cord is about 42 cm, and in males, it is about 45 cm long.
Spinal Cord Development
- The spinal cord grows slower than the vertebral column, resulting in a change in the spinal cords end point with age.
- In infancy, the spinal cord ends at the level of the L3 vertebra.
- In adults, the spinal cord ends at the level of the disc between L1 and L2 vertebrae.
- By the 3rd month of intrauterine (IU) life, the spinal cord occupies the whole length of the vertebral column.
Spinal Cord Shape and Enlargements
- The spinal cord has a cylindrical shape and exhibits two enlargements:
- Cervical enlargement: extends from C5 to T1 segments
- Lumbar enlargement: extends from L1 to S3 segments.
Spinal Cord Internal Structure
- The spinal cord has distinct layers:
- Gray matter: H-shaped structure in the center, responsible for processing and transmitting signals.
- White matter: Surrounds the gray matter, containing nerve fibers that carry information to and from the brain.
External Features of the Spinal Cord
- The spinal cord surface shows 6 longitudinal grooves or sulci:
- Anterior median fissure: The deepest groove.
- Posterior median sulcus.
- Two anterolateral sulci: Serve as the exit point for the ventral (motor) root.
- Two posterolateral sulci: Serve as the entry point for the dorsal (sensory) root.
Spinal Nerves
- Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord, carrying signals between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.
Cauda Equina
- The cauda equina is a bundle of nerve roots that extend from the end of the spinal cord to the sacral vertebral canal.
- These long nerve roots float in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filling the subarachnoid space, allowing for safe lumbar punctures (spinal taps) below L2 vertebra, avoiding damage to the spinal cord.
Importance of Cauda Equina
- The presence of the cauda equina is a consequence of the spinal cord being shorter than the vertebral column, leading to longer roots for the lower spinal nerves.
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Description
Explore the essential aspects of the spinal cord, including its structure, location, and developmental changes over time. Understand how the spinal cord grows and its significance in the central nervous system. This quiz covers crucial information about spinal cord anatomy and its variations in different age groups.
