NETTER - Neuroscience Flash Cards

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy In Situ
1. First cervical nerve
2. Cervical enlargement
3. C7 nerve
4. Lumbosacral enlargement
5. L1 nerve
6. Conus medullaris
7. Cauda equina
8. L5 nerve
9. S1 nerve
10. Filum terminale
Comment: The cervical enlargement and lumbosacral enlargement
of the spinal cord reflect the sensory inputs from the limbs and
motor innervation to muscles of the limbs. During postnatal growth,
the spinal column outstrips the spinal cord in longitudinal growth,
resulting in the caudal end of the spinal cord (conus medullaris)
ending at the L1 vertebral body level and the subsequent caudal
stretching of the nerve roots to reach their entry/exit points through
the intervertebral foramina. One clinically beneficial aspect of the
spinal cord ending at the L1 vertebral level is the presence of a large
subarachnoid space in the lumbar cistern from which cerebrospinal
fluid can be withdrawn for analysis. The lumbar and sacral nerve
roots course through the lumbar cistern but are not rigidly fixed and
do not interfere with a lumbar puncture. Fractures of the lower spine,
tumors, or other pathology can damage either the conus medullaris
or cauda equina.
Overview of the Nervous System See book 5.3