What does the conus medullaris consists of?
The conus medullaris is the tapering distal end of the spinal cord and consists of the sacral (S2-S5) and coccygeal spinal cord segments. Typically, the conus medullaris lies around the level of L1 vertebra in adults, but it may be as high as T12 vertebra or as low as L3 vertebra.
Which spinal cord structure is a group of nerve roots inferior to the conus medullaris?
A group of nerve roots that travel down from the spinal cord and the conus medullaris is called the cauda equina. The cauda equina contains nerve roots from L2 in the lumbar spine to Co1 in the coccygeal (tail bone end) spine.
What is the conus medullaris in the spinal cord?
As mentioned above, the conus medullaris is the distal tapering end of the spinal cord. This structure serves to stabilize the spinal cord by connecting the conus to the coccyx via the coccygeal ligament. The lumbosacral nerve roots continue inferiorly to this as the cauda equina.
What comes after conus medullaris?
The upper end of the conus medullaris is usually not well defined, however, its corresponding spinal cord segments are usually S1-S5. After the spinal cord tapers out, the spinal nerves continue to branch out diagonally, forming the cauda equina….
| Conus medullaris | |
|---|---|
| Latin | medullary cone |
| TA98 | A14.1.02.004 |
| TA2 | 6052 |
| FMA | 74897 |
What causes conus medullaris?
The potential causes of conus medullaris syndrome are: Severe trauma to the lower back such as a gunshot wound, hard blow, or involvement in a car accident. Spinal cord infections. Spinal tumors.
Is conus medullaris part of CNS?
The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord begins at the bottom of the brain stem (at the area called the medulla oblongata) and ends in the lower back, as it tapers to form a cone called the conus medullaris.
Where is the conus medullaris?
The spinal cord tapers and ends at the level between the first and second lumbar vertebrae in an average adult. The most distal bulbous part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris, and its tapering end continues as the filum terminale.
What is situated inferior to the conus medullaris of the spinal cord?
The cauda equina (“horse’s tail”) is a collection of nerves inferior to the conus medullaris that continue to travel through the vertebral column to the coccyx.
Where is conus medullaris?
Is conus medullaris a disability?
Conus medullaris syndrome isn’t a disease in its own right, but rather the product of a spinal trauma. In most cases, a blow to the back—such as from a car accident or gunshot—is to blame.
What is the difference between cauda equina and conus medullaris syndrome?
The symptoms and signs of cauda equina syndrome tend to be mostly lower motor neuron (LMN) in nature, while those of conus medullaris syndrome are a combination of LMN and upper motor neuron (UMN) effects (see Table 1, below).