The way the spinal cord is set up helps us understand how our nervous system works. The spinal cord is split into different parts that match up with the bones in our back, known as vertebrae.

Important Sections:

1. Cervical: 8 parts (C1-C8)
2. Thoracic: 12 parts (T1-T12)
3. Lumbar: 5 parts (L1-L5)
4. Sacral: 5 parts (S1-S5)
5. Coccygeal: 1 part (Co1)

The spinal cord doesn't go all the way down the back. It ends at the conus medullaris, which is usually around the L1-L2 vertebra in adults. This means there are more vertebrae (33 in total) than spinal cord parts, which gives us a special way that nerve roots are arranged.

How They Connect:

• Cervical Nerves: These nerves come out above their vertebrae (for example, C1 comes out above the C1 vertebra).
• Thoracic and Lower: These nerves come out below their vertebrae (for example, T1 comes out below the T1 vertebra).

Why It Matters:

If someone gets hurt in certain parts of the spinal cord, it can cause specific problems or issues in different body areas. For example, if there's damage at T5, it can affect feeling and movement in a certain part of the torso.

Knowing how the spinal cord is divided helps doctors find and treat back problems better. It also guides procedures like spinal taps or epidurals.