From the Research
Spinal Level of Conus Medullaris Termination
The spinal level at which the conus medullaris ends can vary among individuals. According to the studies, the termination level of the conus medullaris is generally found to be:
- Between the L1 and L2 vertebral levels, with the majority of cases (93.8%) terminating at this level 1
- Beneath the L3 vertebral level in a small percentage of cases (3.5%) 2
- At the lower third of L1 (L1L) in male patients and at the L1-2 disc in female patients, based on MRI studies 3
- At the L-1 or L-2 vertebral level in all 13 specimens of stillborn cadavers 4
Key Findings
- The conus medullaris termination level does not always correspond to the respective vertebral level, with many anatomical variations observed 1
- The level of the conus medullaris termination is important for safe and successful spinal and caudal anesthesia 3
- The filum terminale, which extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx, may contain functional neural elements in some individuals 4
Variations in Termination Level
- The termination level of the conus medullaris can vary between individuals, with some studies reporting a higher or lower termination level than others 2, 5, 3
- The termination level may also vary between males and females, with some studies reporting differences in the level of termination between the sexes 3