Spinal Cord Section with Nerve Roots, Arteries, and Veins

Description

Centered in the section, the spinal cord parenchyma is organized around a small central canal, with gray matter forming the classic H-shape: paired anterior (ventral) horns positioned anterolaterally, posterior (dorsal) horns extending posterolaterally, and a lateral horn expected in thoracic and upper lumbar levels between them. Surrounding white matter forms anterior, lateral, and posterior funiculi, separated by the anterior median fissure and the posterior median sulcus, and bounded laterally by the dorsal root entry zone and ventral root exit zone. Dorsal (posterior) rootlets converge toward a dorsal root and its spinal (dorsal root) ganglion within the dural sleeve, while ventral (anterior) rootlets emerge more anteriorly to form the ventral root; both join as a mixed spinal nerve. Segmental arteries and veins accompany the roots in the sleeve, with radicular vessels tracking along the rootlets toward the pial vasocorona and anterior spinal artery territory. Clinically, this cross-sectional morphology maps directly to symptom patterns in compressive myelopathy: dorsal column compromise produces loss of vibration and proprioception, while anterior horn or corticospinal tract involvement yields weakness and upper motor neuron signs below the level. The root sleeves and radicular vessels matter in spine surgery and interventional pain procedures, where foraminal stenosis, disc herniation, or misplaced transforaminal injections can injure a radicular artery and precipitate anterior spinal cord infarction. Small differences in the lateral horn also cue regional neuroanatomy. Level matters. Use this plate in neuroanatomy and clinical neuroscience teaching to connect tract localization with motor, sensory, and autonomic deficits, and in neurosurgery or neuroradiology publications discussing radiculopathy, dural sleeves, and spinal cord vascular supply. It also supports figure sets on myelon histology, spinal cord sectional anatomy, and operative corridors at the intervertebral foramen. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.