Table 3B Vertebral Canal

Meninges of Vertebral Canal (p. 288-292 Moore)

Epidural Space:
o Separation of spinal dura mater from vertebrae
Dura Mater
Arachnoid Mater
Pia Mater
Subarachnoid Space
Lumbar Cistern:
o Subarachnoid space located in the lumbar region, housing cauda equine.
Denticulate Ligaments (small tooth):
o Run longitudinally along each side of spinal cord. Consist of fibrous sheets of pia mater
extending midway between posterior and anterior nerve roots.
Arachnoid Trabeculae:
o Delicate strands of connective tissue in subarachnoid space connecting arachnoid and
pia maters.
Terminal Filum (Filum Terminale): Anchor for inferior ends of spinal cord and dural sac.
o Filum Terminale Internum: located in cauda equine, primarily composed of pia
o Filum Terminale Externum: attaches to coccyx posteriorly (end of spinal cord)
Dural Root Sleeves (sheath):
o Spinal dura extending to intervertebral (IV) foramen, and along posterior and anterior
nerve roots. Blend with outer connective tissue covering around spinal nerves
(epineurium), which adheres to periosteum lining the IV foramen.
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Neurology

Spinal Cord (p. 288-291 Moore)

o Cervical Enlargement
Extends from C4-T1 segments of spinal cord, and most of anterior rami of spinal
nerves
Origin of brachial plexus
o Lumbosacral (Lumbar) Enlargement
Extends from L1-S3 segments of spinal cord, and anterior rami of spinal nerves
Origin of lumbar and sacral plexus
Contributes to formation of cauda equina with conus medullaris
o Medullary Cone (Conus Medullaris)
Conical tip of spinal cord that gives rise to filum terminale.
Terminal tapering end of spinal cord, beginning of cauda equina
Spinal cord can terminate as high as T12 or as low as L3
o Cauda Equina (Horses Tail):
Spinal nerve roots distal to tip (end) of spinal cord, extending caudally inside the
vertebral canal (lumbar cistern)
o Dorsal Grey Horn
Contains nerve cell bodies of somatic and visceral sensory
o Ventral Grey Horn
Contains nerve cell bodies of somatic and visceral motor
o Lateral Horn
Located T1-L1 spinal nerves (potentially extending to L2 or L3)
Unique to thoracic region of spinal cord, contain visceral motor neurons
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Spinal Nerves
o Ventral Rootlets
Initial ventral branches from anterior horn of spinal cord
o Ventral Roots
Collection of ventral rootlets
o Dorsal Rootlets
Initial dorsal branches from posterior horn of spinal cord
o Dorsal Roots
 Collection of dorsal rootlets
o Dorsal Root (Spinal) Ganglion
PNS ganglion containing cell bodies of sensory neurons
o Spinal Nerve
Dorsal and ventral roots combing at points of exit from vertebral canal
o Ventral Ramus
Supplies muscles, joints, and skin of limbs
o Dorsal Ramus
Supplies deep muscles and skin of back

Spinal Ligaments (p. 280-281 Moore)

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

o Runs with vertebral canal
o Attached mainly to vertebral disc of C2-sacral vertebrae, and partially to posterior
vertebral bodies
Ligamentum Flavum
o Extends vertically from lamina above to lamina below
Interspinous Ligament
o Weak, membranous ligaments uniting the adjacent spinous processes
Supraspinous Ligament
o Strong, fibrous ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes
o Merges superiorly with nuchal ligament at level of C7

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