Anatomy and Cell Biology 3319 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Spinal Nerve, Cauda Equina, Dorsal Root Ganglion

• School: Western University
• Department: Anatomy and Cell Biology
• Course: Anatomy and Cell Biology 3319
• Professor: Steve Laviolette

Document Summary

At end of conus medullaris long connective fiber that connects spinal cord to lower sacral/ coxus = filium terminale. Spinal cord is shorter then vertebra but same number of segments. Each of these spinal nerves leads between two vertebra. Because its shorter the lower lumbar and sacral spinal nerves have to grow down and leave between the two vertebra so we have something known as horses tail. All leave appropriate segment btw where they exit (b/w vertebra) is at a lower region so have collection of nerves that fan out to exit at proper vertebra known as cauda equina. The spinal cord lies within the vertebral canal. However, it only extends as far lumbar vertebra l1 or l2. The tapered end of the spinal cord is known as the conus medullaris. The filiium terminale is a long filament of connective tissue that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.