What is the spinal canal called?

The vertebral canal is composed of the vertebral foramen located in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. The vertebral or spinal canal typically ends at the level of the L2 vertebra, where the spinal cord gives off multiple branching spinal nerve and nerve rootlets known as the cauda equina.

Is the thecal sac part of the spinal cord?

Thecal sac is the outer covering of the spinal cord. This means there are bone spurs on the back of the spinal bones, putting pressure on or affecting the front part of the outer layer of the (neck) cervical spinal cord.

Is thecal sac compression the same as spinal cord compression?

Thecal Sac Compression – The spinal cord and nerves are also protected by a membrane filled with cerebral spinal fluid known as the thecal sac or dural sac. Flattening or compression of the thecal sac will occur in other conditions that cause pressure or pinching of the spinal cord, such as stenosis.

What lies in the spinal canal?

Spinal canal refers to the hollow passage formed by the foramen of the vertebrae through which the spinal cord runs. The spinal canal is filled with cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the nerves. The canal originates at the base of the skull and ends at the sacrum.

Is the spinal canal the same as the spinal cord?

Spinal canal – A bony channel located in the vertebral column that protects the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal cord – The longitudinal cord of nerve tissue enclosed in the spinal canal.

What does thecal sac mean?

the loose membrane covering the spinal cord and containing cerebrospinal fluid; the spinal theca. …

What is the function of the thecal sac?

The thecal sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid which provides nutrients and buoyancy to the spinal cord. From the skull the tube adheres to bone at the foramen magnum and extends down to the second sacral vertebra where it tapers to cover over the filum terminale.

What does the thecal sac do?

Where is the spinal sac located?

It is the space within the thecal sac which extends from below the end of the spinal cord (the conus medularis), typically at the level of the first to second lumbar vertebrae down to tapering of the dura at the level of the second sacral vertebra.

Is spinal canal same as vertebral foramen?

The vertebral foramen houses the spinal cord and its meninges. This large tunnel running up and down inside all of the vertebrae contains the spinal cord and is typically called the spinal canal, not the vertebral foramen.