Feline spinal cord length extends from the foramen magnum to which region?

Feline spinal cord length extends from the foramen magnum to which region?

• A. Foramen Magnum to sacrum
• B. Foramen Magnum to L3
• C. Foramen Magnum to L5/L6
• D. Foramen Magnum to C1

Answer: (A)

Spinal cord length in cats runs from the foramen magnum to roughly the caudal lumbar region, ending at the conus medullaris around the level of L6–L7. Beyond that point, the vertebral canal contains only the cauda equina—nerve roots that fan out to exit at the sacral and coccygeal areas. So the cord itself does not extend to the sacrum; the sacral region is reached by nerve roots, not the spinal cord tissue. This is why the cord’s end is described near L6–L7, with the cauda equina extending down to the sacral region.

Spinal cord length in cats runs from the foramen magnum to roughly the caudal lumbar region, ending at the conus medullaris around the level of L6–L7. Beyond that point, the vertebral canal contains only the cauda equina—nerve roots that fan out to exit at the sacral and coccygeal areas. So the cord itself does not extend to the sacrum; the sacral region is reached by nerve roots, not the spinal cord tissue. This is why the cord’s end is described near L6–L7, with the cauda equina extending down to the sacral region.