Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

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• Anatomy of the Spinal Cord
• ? Structure of the spinal cord
• Tracts of the spinal cord
• Spinal cord syndromes

Won Taek Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
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Spinal Cord
- Comparable to Input-Output (IO) System of
the Computer - Spinal Nerve (C8, T12, L5, S5,
Cx1) - Segmental Structure of Neural Tube Origin
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Spinal segment C8, T12, L5, S5,
Cx1 Anterior (Ventral) Root Posterior (Dorsal)
Root Dorsal Root (Spinal) Ganglion Root -
Rootlets
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Spinal Cord
External Figure
Conus Medullaris (L1-2)
Spinomedullary Junction - Foramen
Magnum, Pyramidal decussation, C1 ventral root
Enlargements - cervical
(C5-T1) lumbosacral (L1-L4)
Longitudinal Fissures - anterior
median fissure - anterolateral
fissure - posterior median
sulcus - posterolateral sulcus
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Conus Medullaris (L1-2) Cauda Equina Anterior
median fissure Anterolateral fissure
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Posterior median sulcus Posterolateral
sulcus Posterior intermediate sulcus
Fasciculus cuneatus Fasciculus
gracilis
Posterior surface of the spinal cord
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Spinal Cord
Meninges
Periosteum of Vertebra
- Epidural Space ----------------- epidural
anesthesia Dura Mater Spinalis
Arachnoid Membrane
- Subarachnoid Space -------- Lumbar Puncture

Spinal Anesthesia
Pia Mater Spinalis -
Denticulate Ligament --------- Cordotomy
- Filum Terminale
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• Meninges of
• the spinal cord
• Dura mater
• Arachnoid membrane
• Pia mater

Denticulate ligament - specilization of the pia
mater - landmark for cordotomy
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Meninges of the spinal cord
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Meninges of the spinal cord
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Lumbar Puncture