KAAP220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Filum Terminale, Conus Medullaris, Meninges
28 Nov 2018
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Document Summary
Chapter 12: spinal cord, spinal nerves, and spinal reflexes. The spinal cord can function independently from the brain. Rapid, automatic responses triggered by specific stimuli. Spinal cord has 31 segments with 31 pairs of nerves. Adult length ~ 45 cm (18 in) Max width ~ 14 mm (0. 55 in) Conus medullaris: cone shaped end of spinal cord at l1-l2. Strand of fibrous tissue from tip of conus medullaris to s2. Extended anterior and posterior roots of spinal segments l2 to s5 and filum terminale. Name comes from resemblance to a horse"s tail. 3 specialized membranes surrounding spinal cord and continuous with the cranial meninges. Contains arachnoid trabeculae - collagen and elastic fibers; anchor arachnoid mater to pia mater. Contains cerebrospinal fluid (csf) - shock absorbers; diffusion of gases, nutrients, etc. Blood vessels for spinal cord are located here. Areolar tissue, blood vessels, and adipose tissue. Needle inserted into subarachnoid space, lumbar region, below conus medullaris to avoid spinal cord.
