Question

The spinal cord tapers to a conical portion is called as

• A. Conus medullaris
• B. Filum terminale
• C. Axon
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Conus medullaris

• The conus medullaris or conus terminal is the tapered, lower end of the spinal cord.
• It occurs near lumbar vertebral levels 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), occasionally lower. The upper end of the conus medullaris is usually not well defined.
• At the pointed end of the conus medullaris, the nerve roots of the spinal cord continue in a dangling formation called the cauda equina, which resembles a horse's tail.
• Because the conus medullaris resides in the lower back, injuries or conditions of the lumbar spine can affect this terminal end of the spinal cord. Hence, The spinal cord tapers to a conical portion is called as Conus medullaris.

So, the correct answer is 'Co'.nus medullaris'.