From the Research
Correlation Between Vertebrae and Spinal Cord Segments
The correlation between vertebrae and spinal cord segments is complex, with various studies providing insights into their relationship. Key findings include:
- The spinal cord segments do not directly correspond to the respective vertebral levels, with significant anatomical variations [(1,2)].
- The cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord are determined by the transverse diameters of the segments, with the largest transverse diameter found at segment C5 [(1,3)].
- The beginning of the lumbar spinal cord segment is typically found above the T11 spinal nerve root axilla, corresponding to the upper one-third of the T11 vertebral body 2.
- The sacral spinal cord segment begins above the L1 spinal nerve root axilla, corresponding to the upper one-third of the L1 vertebral body 2.
- The length and width of the spinal cord segments vary along the craniocaudal axis, with the lumbar enlargement characterized by a thickness increase between segments L2 and S1 4.
Segmental Measurements
Measurements of spinal cord segments have been conducted in various studies, including:
- A study of 15 embalmed Korean adult human cadavers, which found characteristic quantitative differences in the values of parameters measured in the thoracic spinal cord compared to the cervical and lumbar spinal cords 1.
- A study of 16 formalin-fixed adult cadaveric spinal cords, which investigated the variations and levels of lumbar and sacral spinal cord segments with reference to the axilla of the T11, T12, and L1 spinal nerve roots and adjacent vertebrae 2.
- A study of 32 human spinal cords, which developed a dataset allowing for statistical analysis of human spinal cord segment characteristics 4.
Vertebral Landmarks
Vertebral landmarks have been used to identify spinal cord segments in various studies, including:
- A study that analyzed high-resolution magnetic resonance images from the mouse spine to delineate the boundaries of spinal cord segments in relation to vertebral landmarks 5.
- A review that computed population estimates of the transverse and anteroposterior diameter of the human spinal cord by comparing and combining previously published data on a normalized craniocaudal axis 3.