Normal anatomy of the spinal cord

MRI has revolutionised imaging of the spinal cord and has replaced myelography in almost all situations—though myelography still has a place where there are contraindications to MRI. In this section, the normal spinal anatomy is illustrated using both MRI and myelography, as well as some more rarely used imaging techniques such as spinal angiography. Figure 1 MRI cervical spine: investigation of choice for cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy. T1 weighted (A), T2 weighted (B), sagittal and T2 weighted axial (C, D) sequences are obtained. The cervical expansion is located at C3-T2, maximal C6. T2-weighted sagittal (E), and axial (F) images of the cervical cord demonstrate a prominent central canal—a normal variant. This is usually no …