What is a conus tip?

What is a conus tip?

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. Consequently, problems with the conus medullaris often affect the cauda equina.

What is the conus in the spine?

Conus medullaris – The cone-shaped bottom of the spinal cord, usually at the level of L1. Disc (Intervertebral) – A tough, elastic cushion located between the vertebrae in the spinal column; acts as a shock absorber for the vertebrae.

What causes conus medullaris?

Conus medullaris syndrome is caused by an injury or insult to the conus medullaris and lumbar nerve roots. It is a clinical subset of spinal cord injury syndromes. Injuries at the level of T12 to L2 vertebrae are most likely to result in conus medullaris syndrome.

At what vertebral level is the tip of the conus medullaris?

After the cord terminates, the nerve roots descend within the spinal canal as individual rootlets, collectively termed the cauda equina. The conus medullaris most commonly terminates at the L1/2 intervertebral disc level in children and adults 1-3.

Is conus medullaris syndrome rare?

Primary glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris is extremely rare and generally fatal.

What is conus medullaris syndrome?

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.

How is conus medullaris syndrome treated?

Depending on its cause, spinal decompression surgery, radiation, and antibiotics can be used to treat the symptoms. In addition, physical therapy is also necessary to regain function.

What is the treatment for conus medullaris?

Which nerve roots arise from the conus medullaris?

The conus medullaris give rise to the lumbar sympathetic, sacral somatic and sacral parasympathetic nerves which continue downward within the cauda equina. These nerves have important functions which can be impaired by injury or ischemia.

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 does the C spine control?

C1, C2, and C3 (the first three cervical nerves) help control the head and neck, including movements forward, backward, and to the sides. The C2 dermatome handles sensation for the upper part of the head, and the C3 dermatome covers the side of the face and back of the head.