Central structures of spinal cord

The central structures of spinal cord encompass key anatomical components surrounding the central canal.

The central canal, located within the spinal cord, is continuous superiorly with the medulla oblongata, where it expands to form the fourth ventricle in the upper medulla. Inferiorly, at the conus medullaris, the central canal widens into the terminal ventricle, marking its termination.

Gray matter structures associated with the central canal include the anterior gray commissure and posterior gray commissure, situated anterior and posterior to the canal, respectively. The anterior gray commissure connects the ventral gray horns of the spinal cord, while the posterior gray commissure interconnects the dorsal gray horns. Collectively, these gray commissures, along with the surrounding region, define the spinal area X.

In terms of white matter, the anterior white commissure, positioned anterior to the anterior gray commissure, links the anterior (ventral) white columns of the spinal cord on both sides. Similarly, the posterior white commissure, located posterior to the posterior gray commissure, connects the posterior (dorsal) white columns on the right and left sides.