GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Two grooves, an anterior median fissure and a posterior median sulcus, extend the length of the spinal cord and partially divide it into right and left portions. Like the brain, the spinal cord is protected by three distinct meninges and is cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid.

Detailed explanation-2: -In combination, the anterior median fissure and the posterior median sulcus will divide the whole of the spinal cord into two symmetrical halves-the right and left half, which one can better appreciate in a transverse section.

Detailed explanation-3: -The spinal cord is divided into 31 segments, with each segment giving rise to a pair of spinal nerves. At the distal end of the cord, many spinal nerves extend beyond the conus medullaris to form a collection that resembles a horse’s tail. This is the cauda equina.

Detailed explanation-4: -Anatomically, the spinal cord runs from the top of the highest neck bone (the C1 vertebra) to approximately the level of the L1 vertebra, which is the highest bone of the lower back and is found just below the rib cage.

Detailed explanation-5: -A pair of spinal nerves leaves each segment of the spinal cord. The length of the spinal cord is about 45 cm in men and 43 cm in women. The spinal cord is shorter than the length of the bony spinal column; the spinal cord extends down only to the last of the thoracic vertebrae.