Also, by extending laterally from cord and attaching to the dura by way of 21 pairs of denticulations, they suspend the spinal cord in the subarachnoid space. Identify the terminal specialties of the cord, their relation to lumbar puncture, the nerve rootlets, and blood supply. This is the tapered termination of the spinal cord proper. It descends all the way to the coccyx, anchoring the spinal cord. A lumbar puncture is done either above or below L4 in the region of the cauda equina.
Blood supply follows along with the nerve rootlets themselves.
Describe the anatomy of the cord and vertebrae as related to fractures, dislocations, and possible cord injury. Due to the relative strength of the ligaments in the region compared to the dens, stress often results in its fracture. The spinal cord can be injured in various ways, all of which are extremely serious and can result in significant impairment of function. Describe or illustrate the location and function of the basic somatic motor and sensory neurons on a cross section of the spinal cord. Sensory neurons originate in the dorsal horns and make up the dorsal roots, but their cell bodies are in the dorsal root ganglia, outside of the spinal cord.