Spinal Cord Anatomy CLOSE
Transections Along the Spinal Cord
The following image displays segment transections at multiple levels through a canine spinal cord. A spinal cord segment was included whenever the gray matter profile changed appreciably from preceding segments. Notice that overall segment shape ranges from oval to round. Gray matter exhibits a variety of butterfly shapes. Ventral horn gray matter is enlarged in the segments that innervate limbs. A lateral horn of gray matter is present in thoracolumbar segments that contain sympathetic preganglionic neurons. White matter (stained blue) is relatively more abundant cranially than caudally in the spinal cord—think about that! Spinal root profiles are more abundant caudally, of course. Meninges are not evident in these sections.
Go Top