From the Guidelines
The answer is B. Cervical 7 (C7) - Cervical 7 (C7) does not accurately match a vertebral body with its corresponding spinal cord level. In the adult spine, there is a discrepancy between vertebral body levels and spinal cord segments due to differential growth during development.
- The C1 vertebral body does correspond to the C1 spinal cord level,
- By C7 a mismatch begins to develop, as the C7 vertebral body typically corresponds to the C8 spinal cord segment, not C7, as supported by the understanding of spinal cord development 1. This discrepancy increases moving down the spine, with the thoracic and lumbar regions showing greater differences between vertebral and cord levels.
- Option C is accurate because T6 vertebra corresponds to approximately T8 spinal cord level,
- Option D is correct because L1 vertebra typically houses the conus medullaris (the tapered end of the spinal cord), as noted in the study on congenital brain and spinal cord malformations 1. This relationship is clinically important when localizing spinal cord lesions based on imaging findings of the vertebral column. Key points to consider include:
- The development of the spinal cord and its relationship to vertebral bodies,
- The clinical implications of this relationship for diagnosing and treating spinal cord conditions.
From the Research
Vertebral Body and Spinal Cord Level Matching
The question requires identifying the incorrect match between a vertebral body and its corresponding spinal cord level. The options provided are:
- A. C1 - C1
- B. C7 - C7
- C. T6 - T8
- D. L1 - Conus medullaris
Analysis of Options
- Option A (C1 - C1) and Option B (C7 - C7) are accurate matches as the spinal cord levels correspond to their respective vertebral bodies.
- Option D (L1 - Conus medullaris) is also a correct match, as studies have shown that the conus medullaris typically terminates at the level of L1 or L1-L2 disc space 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Option C (T6 - T8) does not accurately match a vertebral body with its corresponding spinal cord level, as the spinal cord level does not correspond to the vertebral body level in this manner.
Conclusion of Analysis
Based on the analysis, Option C (T6 - T8) is the incorrect match. The spinal cord levels do not correspond to the vertebral body levels in this manner, making it the false match among the given options. This is supported by various studies that have examined the relationship between vertebral bodies and spinal cord levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Key Points
- The conus medullaris typically terminates at the level of L1 or L1-L2 disc space.
- The spinal cord levels correspond to their respective vertebral bodies in Options A and B.
- Option C (T6 - T8) is the incorrect match due to the mismatch between the vertebral body and spinal cord level.
- Studies have consistently shown that the conus medullaris is located at the level of L1 or L1-L2 disc space, supporting the correctness of Option D 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.