BSC-2085 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Filum Terminale, Conus Medullaris, Dorsal Root Ganglion
Document Summary
Describe the gross anatomy of the spinal cord. Gray matter surrounded by white matter: grooves divide the spinal cord into left and right. Posterior median sulcus on posterior side. Anterior median fissure deeper groove on anterior side. Caused by: amount of gray matter in segment (more gray matter since more cells in these areas for limbs) Involvement with sensory and motor nerves of limbs: cervical enlargement (around the level of c6, nerves of shoulders and upper limbs, lumbar enlargement (around the level of t11, nerves of pelvis and lower limbs. The distal end: conus medullaris : thin, conical spinal cord below lumbar enlargement, filum terminale: thin thread of fibrous tissue at end of conus medullaris. Provides longitudinal support to spinal cord: cauda equine: nerve roots (ventral and dorsal) extending below conus medullaris and into sacrum. Except for cervical nerve 8 (since cervical vertebra 8 does not exist!: all other nerves: named for superior vertebra.
