What is the function of the conus medullaris?

What is the function of the conus medullaris?

Structure and Function This structure serves to stabilize the spinal cord by connecting the conus to the coccyx via the coccygeal ligament. The lumbosacral nerve roots continue inferiorly to this as the cauda equina.

What is the Conus of the spinal cord?

The conus medullaris is the terminal end of the spinal cord, which typically occurs at the L1 vertebral level in the average adult. [1] Conus medullaris syndrome (CMS) results when there is compressive damage to the spinal cord from T12-L2.

What happens if the conus medullaris is damaged?

Following a spinal cord injury, symptoms of conus medullaris syndrome develop rapidly and on both sides of the body by presenting: Weakness or tingling in your lower limbs. Sexual dysfunction. Incontinence.

What causes conus medullaris?

Conus medullaris can be caused by an injury, lesion, or infection, while cauda equina is almost always caused by a lesion or infection. Cauda equina may eliminate the patellar and Achilles reflexes, while conus medullaris typically only interferes with the Achilles reflex.

What does the conus medullaris contain?

The spinal cord ends at the intervertebral disc between the first and second lumbar vertebrae as a tapered structure called the conus medullaris, consisting of sacral spinal cord segments. The upper border of the conus medullaris is often not well defined.

What is conus medullaris made of?

The terminal portion of the spinal cord in the lumbar region is cone-shaped and is called the conus medullaris. The conus medullaris is made up of several neurons (nerve cells) and has 3 protective layers. Starting from the outermost layer, these are the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Where should conus medullaris terminate?

Conclusions: The CM terminates most commonly at the L1-2 disc space and in the absence of tethering, the CM virtually never ends below the mid-body of L2. A CM that appears more caudal on neuroimages should be considered tethered.

What is the cauda equina vs conus medullaris?

The most distal bulbous part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris, and its tapering end continues as the filum terminale. Distal to this end of the spinal cord is a collection of nerve roots, which are horsetail-like in appearance and hence called the cauda equina (Latin for horse’s tail).

What is conus medullaris and cauda equina?

What is conus medullaris anatomy?

Anatomical terminology The conus medullaris (Latin for “medullary cone”) or conus terminalis is the tapered, lower end of the spinal cord. It occurs near lumbar vertebral levels 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), occasionally lower.

Where does conus medullaris end in infants?

In the term babies, conus medullaris ended at L4–L5 in one patient (1.6%) and at L2–L3 in four (6.3%). In the other patients (92.1%) conus medullaris was above L2 level.

Where does conus medullaris end in newborns?

The caudal end of the spinal cord corresponds to the conus medullaris (,Fig 4), which continues into the filum terminale. In healthy newborns, the tip of the conus medullaris is located between L1 and L2. The tip should not be positioned below L2-3 (,8).

What is the conus medullaris?

The conus medullaris is the bundled, tapered end of the spinal cord nerves. Situated near the first two lumbar vertebrae, the conus medullaris ends at the cauda equina, a bundle of spinal nerves and nerve roots.

Where is the medullary cone located?

The conus medullaris (Latin for “medullary cone”) or conus terminalis is the tapered, lower end of the spinal cord. It occurs near lumbar vertebral levels 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), occasionally lower.

What is the difference between cauda equina syndrome and conus medullaris syndrome?

Conus medullaris syndrome manifest symptoms that are similar to cauda equina syndrome, but the two conditions require different treatment. Conus medullaris typically produces sudden symptoms on both sides of the body, while cauda equina syndrome usually develops over time, producing uneven symptoms concentrated on one side of the body.

Where is the conus medullaris located in a Chiari malformation?

Pediatric patients may have a syrinx associated with their Chiari malformation and the conus medullaris will be located at or below the L2-L3 lumbar vertebrae disk space.