The spinal cord
Laurie Kelly McCorry in Essentials of Human Physiology for Pharmacy, 2004
The human spinal cord and the vertebral column initially grow at the same rate during embryonic development. In this way, spinal segments and the vertebral bones for which they are named are aligned. Therefore, the spinal nerves emerge from the vertebral column at the same level as the spinal cord segment from which they arise. However, after the third month of gestation, each vertebral bone becomes larger compared to the associated spinal segment; therefore, the vertebral column grows approximately 25 cm longer than the spinal cord. (This explains why the spinal cord extends only as far as the upper lumbar vertebrae.) As a result, the spinal cord segment from which each pair of spinal nerves arises is no longer aligned with its associated vertebral bone.
Spinal Cord
Orhan E. Arslan in Neuroanatomical Basis of Clinical Neurology, 2015
Due to the difference in the rate of development of the vertebral column relative to the spinal cord, the spinal cord segments do not always correspond to the vertebral levels. In general, the rule of 2 applies to the vertebral levels T1-T10. In other words, the injured spinal segments are determined by adding 2 to the level of the affected vertebrae. Spinous processes of the T11-T12 vertebrae correspond to the lumbar spinal segments. Accordingly, the cervical spinal nerves exit above their corresponding vertebrae, while the remaining spinal nerves emerge from the vertebral column below the corresponding vertebrae. When the dorsal and ventral roots of the lower lumbar and sacral segments assume a longer course around the conus medullaris to reach the corresponding intervertebral foramina, the cauda equina is formed (Figures 3.1 and 3.2).
Vertebral Column
Sarah Armstrong, Barry Clifton, Lionel Davis in Primary FRCA in a Box, 2019
This chapter explains that the vertebral column is the left atrium into the sacral canal (continuation of the epidural space) to block the sacral/lumbar nerve roots. It is useful to supplement general anaesthesia (especially in children) for prevention of post-operative pain below umbilicus and for chronic back pain. The vertebral column consists of 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused) and 3–5 coccygeal (fused) vertebrae. Two primary concave curves (thoracic and pelvic) and two compensatory convex curves (cervical and lumbar). Each consists of an anterior body and posterior arch (encloses the vertebral foramen which form the vertebral canal). Each arch has two laminae, two pedicles and seven processes (one spinous, four articular and two transverse).
Measurement and evaluation of trunk forward flexibility
Published in Sports Medicine, Training and Rehabilitation, 1996
Forward trunk flexibility in 39 students (24 men and 15 women) in a physical education faculty was studied using different body positions and testing methods. The test scores of a gravity goniometer and a linear measurement were compared. Trunk flexibility was estimated from components of mobility of the ankle, hip, and vertebral column in different body segment configurations. The flexibility of the vertebral column was calculated from the difference between the measurement of trunk forward flexion and hip flexion. Trunk forward flexion was higher measured in the sitting position than in the standing position measured by both methods. It was established that trunk forward flexibility was attributable to a composite of 60% hip flexion and 40% vertebral column flexibility. The determination of the range of the motion of each joint in trunk forward flexion can be useful in training or rehabilitation procedures.
Paget's Sarcoma of the Vertebral Column with Neurological Complications
Published in Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica, 1977
A patient with Paget's sarcoma of the vertebral column who developed cauda equina compression is reported. This is the first report of this Condition in an orthopacdie journal. The literature is reviewed. Palliative treatment is recommended.
Paravertebral cervical chordoma – a case report
Published in British Journal of Neurosurgery, 2011
Uma Bannur, Sanjiv J. Chawda, Dominic G. O' Donovan, Hesham Kaddour, Karoly M. David
Chordomas constitute
Related Knowledge Centers
- Coccyx
- Intervertebral Disc
- Joint
- Sacrum
- Dorsum
- Trunk