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The Vertebral Column and Spinal Meninges

Authors :
Gulgun Kayalioglu
Publication Year :
2009
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2009.

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the vertebral column and spinal meninges of the spinal cord, and describes their features in humans and rodents. The vertebral column, also known as the spinal column, is the central axis of the skeleton in all vertebrates. The vertebral column provides attachments to muscles, supports the trunk, protects the spinal cord and nerve roots, and serves as a site for hemopoiesis. The mammalian vertebral column consists of five morphologically differentiated groups of vertebrae: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal (caudal). In humans, the vertebral column usually consists of 33 vertebrae, placed in series and connected by ligaments and intervertebral discs. Each vertebra consists of two essential parts, a ventral body and a dorsal vertebral arch, which enclose the vertebral foramen. The rat has 57–60 vertebrae divided into five groups: 7 in the cervical, 13 in the thoracic, 6 in the lumbar, 4 in the sacral, and 8–32 in the coccygeal (tail) region. The meninges enclosing the spinal cord consist of three layers: the outermost dura mater (pachymenix), the intermediate arachnioid mater and the innermost pia mater. There are three spaces within the sheaths of the spinal cord: the epidural, subdural, and subarachnoid spaces.

Details

Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........40a37a93e9a475a90944f9f0300e58b0