Research Professor, Clinical and Applied Anatomy and Pathology
Uppsala University Hospital
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Sagittal section in the midline through
the thoracolumbar spine of a young female adult. The conus
medullaris typically terminates at the L1–L2 disc level. This
specimen also shows the caudal extension of the conus, the filum
terminate and also outlines the central canal of the spinal cord.
The upper two vertebrae show vascular venous outlet foramina
(Batson) through which the veins in the vertebral body communicate
with the anterior epidural veins. Note the marked increase in disc
height from the lower thoracic to the upper lumbar spine. The
posterior annulus of all discs is straight, rendering the anterior
wall of the spinal canal straight. The conus medullaris is
surrounded by bundles of thick cauda equina roots, motor
anterolaterally and sensor dorsolaterally. The intrathecal reserve
space is much smaller than in the thoracic and cervical spine.
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©2000 Wolfgang Rauschning, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Anatomy
Academic
University Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Uppsala, Sweden
Reproduction without permission is prohibited
http://www.akademiska.se/
Updated on: 02/01/10
