Filum terminale
Filum Terminale
The Filum Terminale (pronunciation: fee-lum ter-min-ale) is a delicate fibrous tissue strand that extends from the apex of the conus medullaris, the lower end of the Spinal Cord, to the Coccyx (tailbone).
Etymology
The term "Filum Terminale" is derived from Latin, where "filum" means thread and "terminale" signifies end. Thus, it can be translated as "end thread", which is a fitting description of its physical appearance and location.
Anatomy
The Filum Terminale is approximately 20 cm long and consists of two parts: the upper part, Filum Terminale internum, and the lower part, Filum Terminale externum. The Filum Terminale internum is about 15 cm long and is covered by the Dura Mater and Arachnoid Mater, two of the three meninges that protect the central nervous system. The Filum Terminale externum, also known as the coccygeal ligament, is the final 5 cm and fuses with the Dura Mater to attach to the coccyx.
Function
The primary function of the Filum Terminale is to stabilize the spinal cord within the vertebral canal, preventing unnecessary movement that could result in injury. It does this by anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx.
Related Terms
- Spinal Cord: The main pathway for information connecting the brain and peripheral nervous system.
- Coccyx: The final segment of the vertebral column, commonly referred to as the tailbone.
- Dura Mater: The outermost of the three layers of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Arachnoid Mater: The middle layer of the meninges, located between the dura mater and pia mater.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Filum terminale
- Wikipedia's article - Filum terminale
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