Answer: The spinal cord extends from the FORAMEN MAGNUM of the skull to the junction between the first lumbar (L1) and second lumbar (L2) region of the vertebral column. The meninges, which cover the spinal cord, extend more inferiorly to form a sac from which cerebrospinal fluid can be withdrawn without damage to the spinal cord. This procedure is called a LUMBAR PUNCTURE or SPINAL TAP.
THIRTY-ONE (31) pairs of spinal nerves arise from the cord. Of these, EIGHT (8) pairs are cervical nerves, TWELVE (12) pairs are thoracic nerves, FIVE (5) pairs are lumbar nerves, and FIVE (5) pairs are sacral nerves. The tail-like collection of spinal nerves at the inferior end of the spinal cord is called the COCCYGEAL NERVE.
Explanation: The spinal cord is a cylindrical structure of nervous tissue composed of white and gray mater that is uniformly organized. It is divided into four regions; cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral each of which is comprised of several segments.
ANSWER:
1) BASE
2) LUMBAR
3) LUMBAR PUNCTURE
4) 31
5) 8
6) 12
7) 5
8) 5
9) Cauda equina
EXPLANATION:
The spinal cord is a continuation of the brainstem. It extends from the foramen magnum at the base of the skull to the L1/L2 vertebra where it terminates as the conus medullaris (medullary cone). A thin thread called filum terminale extends from the tip of the conus medullaris all the way to the 1st coccygeal vertebra (Co1) and anchors the spinal cord in place.
It is part of the central nervous system (CNS). It is situated inside the vertebral canal of the vertebral column.
Like the vertebral column, the spinal cord is divided into segments: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Each segment of the spinal cord provides several pairs of spinal nerves, which exit from vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramina. There are 8 pairs of cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal pair of spinal nerves (a total of 31 pairs).
