Central canal
Central canal of spinal cord | |
---|---|
Details | |
Location | Centre of the spinal cord |
Identifiers | |
Latin | canalis centralis medullae spinalis |
TA98 | A14.1.02.019 |
TA2 | 6127 |
FMA | 78497 |
Anatomical terminology |
The central canal (also known as spinal foramen or ependymal canal[1]) is the cerebrospinal fluid-filled space that runs through the spinal cord.[2] The central canal lies below and is connected to the ventricular system of the brain, from which it receives cerebrospinal fluid, and shares the same ependymal lining. The central canal helps to transport nutrients to the spinal cord as well as protect it by cushioning the impact of a force when the spine is affected.
The central canal represents the adult remainder of the central cavity of the neural tube. It generally occludes (closes off) with age.[3]
Structure
The central canal below at the ventricular system of the brain, beginning at a region called the obex where the fourth ventricle, a cavity present in the brainstem, narrows.
The central canal is located in the
Terminal ventricle
The terminal ventricle (ventriculus terminalis, fifth ventricle or ampulla caudalis) is the widest part of the central canal of the
Sometimes, the terminal ventricle is observed by
Microanatomy
The central canal shares the same ependymal lining as the ventricular system of the brain.
The canal is lined by
The substantia gelatinosa of Rolando is located more dorsally.[clarification needed]
Development
The central canal represents the adult remainder of the central cavity of the neural tube. It generally occludes (closes off) with age.[3]
Function
The central canal carries cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which it receives from the ventricular system of the brain. The central canal helps to transport nutrients to the spinal cord as well as protect it by cushioning the impact of a force when the spine is affected.
Clinical significance
Syringomyelia is a disease caused by the blockage of the central canal. Blockage of the central canal usually occurs at the lower cervical and upper thoracic levels. This typically damages white matter fibers that cross in anterior white commissure, leading to the loss of temperature, pain, and motor function at the affected levels on side opposite to the damage.
Other relevant conditions include:
- Spina bifida
- Arnold-Chiari syndrome
- Spinal tumor
- Myelomeningocele
- Syringomyelia
- Hydromyelia. In hydromyelia, a dilation of the central canal of the spinal cord is caused by an increase of cerebrospinal fluid.[8]
- Syringohydromyelia (i.e., both Syringomyelia and Hydromyelia)[8]
- Tethered cord
In some cases, the terminal ventricle may cause clinical symptoms due to its expansion.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 753 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- PMID 28097078.
- PMID 28097078.
- ^ a b "ventriculus terminalis". radsource.us. July 2008.
- ^ PMID 15655569.
- ISBN 0 443 04177 6[page needed]
- S2CID 2214756.
- ^ a b "imaging in syringohydromyelia". emedicine.medscape. 2018-04-25.
Tomsick T, Peak E, Wang L: Fluid-Signal Structures in the Cervical Spinal Cord on MRI: Anterior Median Fissure vs. Central Canal. AJNR 2017; 38:840–45
Tomsick T, Wang L, Zuccarello M, Ringer AJ. Fluid-signal structures in the cervical spinal cord on MRI in Chiari patients: Central canal or anterior median fissure? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2021 Apr;42(4):801-806. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A7046. Epub 2021 Mar 11.PMID: 33707286