|
|
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The spinal cord, which ran the length of the vertebral canal in the fetus, extends in the adult from the top of the atlas to the lower border of L1. Cervical and lumbar enlargements correspond to the nerve supply to the limbs. From the caudal end of the cord, the thin filum terminale, anchors the cord to the coccyx. Due to the relative lengthening of the spine, the more caudal of the 31 paired spinal nerves take a progressively more oblique course to their respective intervertebral foramina. Below L1 the nerve roots form the cauda equina. The cervical spinal cord is most vulnerable to injury.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The spinal cord is enclosed in the tough dural sheath. The dura ends at the level of S2. The spinal nerve roots are ensheathed by separate extensions of the dura and the dura continues a short distance along the unified nerve. The arachnoid membrane is a delicate meshwork occupying the space between the dura and the cord. The thin innermost membrane, the pia, is closely applied to the cord. Denticulate ligaments extend from the pia bilaterally and attach to the dura between nerve roots.
Notes:
Link to this frame from your Personal Thumbnails page?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The embryonic spinal cord receives a pair of radicular arteries from the dorsal aorta for each of the 31 segmental somites. The arteries form a pial network around the developing neural tube, and dominant longitudinal channels appear. The ventral channels fuse, leaving medullary sulcal branches feeding one side or the other, depending on which channel they arose from pre-fusion. Dorsally, two longitudinal channels persist. In adult life 4-8 ventral radicular arteries and 10-20 dorsal radicular arteries remain.
Notes:
Link to this frame from your Personal Thumbnails page?
Click the "Update" button to save your Notes and Personal Thumbnails.
This page was last modified on 7/3/2001.
Clinical Folios:
Abdomen,
Biliary/Pancreatic,
Breast,
Cardiothoracic,
Colorectal,
Embryology,
Genitourinary,
Gynecology,
Head and Neck,
Hernia,
Musculoskeletal,
Neurosurgery,
Ophthalmology,
Pediatric Surgery,
Plastic Surgery,
Radiology,
Soft Tissue/Sarcoma,
Surgical Anatomy,
Technique,
Trauma,
Vascular | |
Discussions,
SCALpels
Personal Pages:
Thumbnails,
Presentations,
Quizzes
Home,
Image Archive,
About Vesalius,
Keyword Search,
Glossary
Logout