Recognization On Section Of Spinal Cord

C-1 Cord Level Features:

Cervical Enlargement (C1)

Large, roundish cross sectional diameter. Gray matter has enlarged posterior horn as substantia gelatinosa becomes spinal nucleus V and anterior horn has promient protrusion for nucleus of CN XI. Lateral funiculus is mottled by fasciculated fibers of the lateral corticospinal tract.

C-7 Cord Level Features:

Broadest cross-sectional area, flattened atnerior-posteriorly. Enlarged posterior and anterior gray horns. Cervical Enlargement (C7)

T-2 Cord Level Features:

Small overall diameter, round shape. Thin anterior and posterior gray horns with Clarke's column. Prominent intermediolateral cell columns. Posterior funiculus is divided by a septum into a fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus from T-6 and higher. Upper Thoracic Cord (T2)

T-12 Cord Level Features:

Small overall diameter, round shape. Thin anterior and posterior gray horns with Clarke's column. Prominent intermediolateral cell columns. Posterior white funiculus is not divided by a septum. Fasciculus gracilis only from T-6 and lower. Lower Thoracic Cord (T12)

L-3 cord level Features: Middle lumbar cord with distinct Clark`s collum and gray commmisure.

Middle Lumbar Cord (L3)

S-1 Cord Level Features:

Upper sacral cord resembles lower lumbar segments with thickened gray horns in lumbosacral enlargement. No Clarke's column, fasciculus gracilis only.

Upper Sacral Cord (S1)

S-5 Cord Level Features:

Lower sacral cord below lumbosacral enlargment has grossly thickend gray horns and a grossly thickened commissural gray. White matter is markedly diminished since all tracts are miniamlly represented except for fasciculus proprius. Lower Sacral Cord (S5)

Anterior horn (& ventral roots)

Motor nuclei

Spinal accessory nucleus of CN XI & exiting fibers

Posterior horn

Spinal nucleus & tract of CN V

Anterior Funiculus

Medial vestibulospinal (in the MLF)

Anterior corticospinal

Lateral vestibulospinal

Medial reticulospinal

Anterior white commissure

Anterior spinothalamic

Lateral funiculus

Lateral reticulospinal

Lateral corticospinal

Lateral spinothalamic

Posterior funiculus Fasciculus gracilis

Fasciculus cuneatus

Posterior intermediate sulcus and septum

Dorsal root entry zone, medial & lateral

Anterior median fissure

Central Canal

Anterior horn and roots: Motor Nuclei

Posteromarginal Nucleus

Posterior horn and roots

Nucleus Proprius

Substantia Gelatinosa

Anterior Funiculus

Medial vestibulospinal (in the MLF)

Anterior corticospinal

Lateral vestibulospinal

Medial reticulospinal

Anterior white commissure

Anterior spinothalamic

Lateral funiculus

Lateral reticulospinal

Lateral corticospinal

Lateral spinothalamic

Posterior spinocerebellar

Posterior funiculus

Fasciculus cuneatus

Fasciculus gracilis

Zone of Lissauer

Anterior Horn: Motor Nuclei

Posteromarginal Nucleus

Posterior Horn

Nucleus Proprius

Substantia Gelatinosa

Clarke's Column (Nucleus Dorsalis)

Posterior Funiculus Fasciculus Gracilis

Intermediate Horn: Intermediolateral Cell Column

Nucleus Proprius

Fasciculus Gracilis

Clarke's Column (Nucleus Dorsalis)

Posteromarginal Nucleus

Substantia Gelatinosa

Nucleus Proprius

Anterior Horn: Motor Nuclei

Posteromarginal Nucleus

Posterior Horn

Nucleus Proprius

Substantia Gelatinosa

Anterior Spinothalamic

Lateral Spinothalamic

Lateral Corticospinal

Fasciculus Gracilis