In what two regions does the spinal cord have enlargements?

In what two regions does the spinal cord have enlargements?

The spinal cord is about 18 inches (45 centimeters) in length and is relatively cylindrical in shape. The cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) segments house the spinal cord’s two areas of enlargement. A fibrous band called the filum terminale begins at the tip of the conus medullaris and extends to the pelvis.

Where is the spinal cord largest?

The longest segment in the cervical spinal cord was segment C5, at 15.5 mm, and segment L1 in the lumbar spinal cord. The volume was largest at segment C5, with a value of 1173.9 mm3.

Why are there enlargements in the cervical and lumbar regions?

It extends from about the fifth cervical to the first thoracic vertebra, its maximum circumference (about 38 mm.) The reason behind the enlargement of the cervical region is because of the increased neural input and output to the upper limbs. An analogous region in the lower limbs occurs at the lumbar enlargement.

Where is the lumbar enlargement located?

spinal cord
Lumbar enlargement comprises the spinal cord segments from L2 to S2, and is found about the vertebral levels T9 to T12.

What do the cervical and lumbar enlargements give rise to?

The cervical region of the cord gives rise to eight cervical nerves (C1—C8), the thoracic to twelve thoracic nerves (T1—T12), the lumbar to five lumbar nerves (L1—L5), the sacral to five sacral nerves (S1—S5), and the coccygeal to one coccygeal nerve.

Why is there a lumbar enlargement?

The lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord corresponds to the mild increase in cross sectional area of the cord from the T11 level to the conus medullaris. It is enlarged due to the presence of the spinal nerve anterior rami which contribute to the lumbar and sacral plexuses.

What is a lumbar enlargement?

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.

What does grey matter in the spinal cord contain?

The grey matter of the spinal cord contains neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, axons, and nerve synapses.