Where are the two enlargements of the spinal cord?

Where are the two enlargements of the spinal cord?

Inferior to the conus medullaris, the spinal nerves form a bundle called the cauda equina. The spinal cord presents two enlargements at the cervical and lumbar level.

Where are the enlargement in the spinal cord and why?

The lumbar enlargement (or lumbosacral enlargement) is a widened area of the spinal cord that gives attachment to the nerves which supply the lower limbs. It commences about the level of T11 and ends at L2, and reaches its maximum circumference, of about 33 mm.

In what regions is the spine larger?

Thoracic Spine T1 is the smallest and T12 is the largest thoracic vertebra. The thoracic vertebrae are larger than the cervical bones and have longer spinous processes.

What is the role of spinal cord enlargement?

Two regions of the spinal cord are enlarged to accommodate the greater number of nerve cells and connections needed to process information related to the upper and lower limbs (see Figure 1.10B).

What causes enlargement of the spinal cord?

As the spinal cord is shorter in length than the vertebral column, it extends from the C3 to T1/T2 vertebral levels, its greatest circumference (approximately 38 mm) at the C6 level. The cervical enlargement is a result of the increased volume of motor cells in the ventral horns of the grey matter.

What are the 4 areas of the spine?

Typically, the spine is divided into four main regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. Each region has specific characteristics and functions.

The spinal cord enlarges in two places:1. In the cervical area (C5-T1) which is where the brachial plexus (a large group of nerves which provide the nervous supply to the arms and some of the chest) extends from.2.

Why is the spinal cord enlarged in the cervical and lumbosacral region?

The spinal cord enlarges at the cervical and lumbosacral areas in order to accomodate the extra neurons involved with the motor control going to, and sensations coming from, the upper and lower limbs.

How is the gray matter of the spinal cord enlarged?

In the cervical spine, the anterior horns of the gray matter are enlarged at spinal levels C4 through C8 compared to levels above and below. 1 The spinal meninges help prevent the spinal cord from direct contact with the bony cervical spine. The three layers of the spinal meninges are the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

What happens when there is less space in your spine?

Less space within your spine reduces the amount of space available for your spinal cord and nerves that branch off your spinal cord. A tightened space can cause the spinal cord or nerves to become irritated, compressed or pinched, which can lead to back pain and sciatica.

The spinal cord enlarges in two places:1. In the cervical area (C5-T1) which is where the brachial plexus (a large group of nerves which provide the nervous supply to the arms and some of the chest) extends from.2.

Why is the spinal cord enlarged in the cervical and lower back?

Spinal arachnoiditis due to infection most often occurs in the cervicothoracic (neck and upper back) region, while cases due to external agents most often occur in the lumbosacral (lower back) area. How is spinal stenosis treated? There are two types of spinal stenosis, that of the lower back and cervical spinal stenosis.

Less space within your spine reduces the amount of space available for your spinal cord and nerves that branch off your spinal cord. A tightened space can cause the spinal cord or nerves to become irritated, compressed or pinched, which can lead to back pain and sciatica.

Where is the spinal cord located in the body?

The spinal cord is located in the vertebral foramen and is made up of 31 segments: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal.