What is the superior end of the spinal cord called?

What is the superior end of the spinal cord called?

The most distal bulbous part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris, and its tapering end continues as the filum terminale. Distal to this end of the spinal cord is a collection of nerve roots, which are horsetail-like in appearance and hence called the cauda equina (Latin for horse’s tail).

Which spinal segment is the most superior?

cervical region
Upper Vertebrae The cervical region of the spine is the most superior and contains seven small vertebrae. The main function of the cervical region is to facilitate attachment of the skull to the spine, protect the spinal cord over the exposed neck and shoulder region, and support the body.

What are the boundaries of the spinal cord?

The spinal cord ends at the level of vertebrae L1–L2, while the subarachnoid space —the compartment that contains cerebrospinal fluid— extends down to the lower border of S2. Lumbar punctures in adults are usually performed between L3–L5 (cauda equina level) in order to avoid damage to the spinal cord.

What are the superior and inferior boundaries of the spinal cord?

The superior boundary of the spinal dura mater is the foramen magnum of the occipital bone. The inferior boundary is the second sacral vertebra. A horn is an area of gray matter, and a column is a region of white matter in the spinal cord.

Why is it important that our spinal cord is protected?

When spinal cord protection breaks down Nontraumatic damage to spinal column vertebrae, ligaments or discs can be caused by birth defects, arthritis, cancer, inflammation, infections or disk degeneration of the spine.

The spinal cord tapers and ends at the level between the first and second lumbar vertebrae in an average adult. The most distal bulbous part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris, and its tapering end continues as the filum terminale.

Which is the most superior boundary of the spinal cord?

Foramen Magnum Most superior boundary of the spinal cord. Filum Terminale Meningeal extension beyond the spinal cord terminus. Conus Medullaris Spinal cord terminus. Cauda Equina Collection of spinal nerves traveling in the vertebral canal below the terminus of the spinal cord.

Where are the spinal nerves located in the body?

meningeal extension beyond the spinal cord terminus conus medullaris spinal cord terminus cauda equinas collection of spinal nerves traveling in the vertebral canal below the terminus of the spinal cord dorsal horn (neuron type) interneurons, sensory ventral horn (neuron type) motor dorsal root (neuron type) sensory fiber type in ventral root

Where do you find white matter in the spinal cord?

the cervical and lumbar regions, those are the parts involved in chest and arms and lower parts of the body where do you find white/gray matter in the spinal cord/hemispheres central part of the spinal cord (butterfly shape) and outer part of the brain (cortex) = gray matter dorsal v. ventral horns ventral horns are anterior, broader, less tapered

Which is larger anterior or posterior spinal cord horns?

The anterior horns are wider than the posterior horns. The posterior horns extend closer to the edge of the spinal cord. White matter is deep to the gray matter of the cerebral cortex, and superficial to the gray matter of the spinal cord. They release different neurotransmitters, which bind to different receptors.

What is the inferior boundary of the spinal cord?

The inferior boundary is the second sacral vertebra. What portion of the spinal cord connects with nerves of the upper limbs? The cervical enlargement connects with sensory and motor nerves of the upper limbs.

What are the three areas of the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is divided into four major parts: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral nerves. Collectively, the entire spinal cord is divided into 31 segments; at every segment, there is a pair of right and left spinal nerves.

Is the spinal cord a bone muscle or nerve?

Your spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that carries messages back and forth from your brain to your muscles and other soft tissues. As your spinal cord travels down your back, it is protected by a stack of backbones called vertebrae. They also hold your body upright.

Do the spinal nerves branch off of the spinal cord?

Two spinal nerves branch off from the right and left sides of the spinal cord or the cauda equina at each spinal segment. These spinal nerves are formed by 2 types of fibers-sensory fibers that send messages to the brain (feeling pain when the leg is hurt) and motor fibers that receive messages from the brain (lifting the leg to get out of a car).