What is the distal end of the spinal cord called?

What is the distal end of the spinal cord called?

The spinal cord begins at the bottom of the brain stem (at the area called the medulla oblongata) and ends in the lower back, as it tapers to form a cone called the conus medullaris.

Which structure holds the distal spinal cord in place?

The spinal cord is anchored distally by the filum terminale, a fibrous extension of the pia mater anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx. [1] Protecting the spinal cord is the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), supportive soft tissue membranes and meninges, and the osseous vertebral column.

What are the two regions of the spinal cord?

The upper three regions of the spinal column are termed the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar; they contain individually jointed vertebrae. The two lower regions—the sacrum and coccyx, or tailbone—are formed from fused vertebrae.

What are the three regions of the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is divided into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. The cervical region is divided into eight levels that are related to different motor and sensory functions in the neck and the arms. The spinal nerves of the thoracic region supply the thorax and abdomen.

What is the difference between the spine and spinal cord?

The main difference between spinal cord and spinal column is that the spinal cord is one of the two components of the central nervous system, whereas the spinal column is a part of the axial skeleton made up of a series of vertebrae, separated by intervertebral disks.

Where should the spinal cord end?

The lower end of your spinal cord stops a little above your waist in the region called the conus medullaris. Below this region is a group of nerve roots called the cauda equina. Tracts in your spinal cord carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Is the spine the same thing as the spinal cord?

Spinal cord is a part of the central nervous system and lies inside the backbone. Backbone is a part of the skeletal system. Both spinal cord and backbone are located in the posterior side of the body. At the initial stage of development, spinal cord and backbone have the same length.

What diseases are in the spinal cord?

Tumors

  • Infections such as meningitis and polio
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy