What are the gross anatomical features of the spinal cord?

Gross Anatomy According to its rostrocaudal location the spinal cord can be divided into four parts: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral, two of these are marked by an upper (cervical) and a lower (lumbar) enlargement.

What are the internal features of spinal cord?

The spinal cord is composed of an inner core of gray matter, which is surrounded by an outer covering of white matter. On cross section; the gray matter is seen as an H-shaped pillar with anterior and posterior gray columns, or horns, united by a thin gray commissure containing the small central canal.

What is the anatomical location of the spinal cord?

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.

What is cross section anatomy?

Cross-sections are two-dimensional, axial views of gross anatomical structures seen in transverse planes. They are obtained by taking imaginary slices perpendicular to the main axis of organs, vessels, nerves, bones, soft tissue, or even the entire human body.

What is the importance of understanding cross sectional anatomy?

Anatomical cross-sections involve cutting a structure at right angles to its main axis and viewing the newly formed cut face in two dimensions. This view provides the essential view of “depth” often misused in medical education, which together with the usual length-width representation would result in a whole.

What is the structure and function of spinal cord?

Your spinal cord is the long, cylindrical structure that connects your brain and lower back. It contains tissues, fluids and nerve cells. A bony column of vertebrae surrounds and protects your spinal cord. Your spinal cord helps carry electrical nerve signals throughout your body.