Sagittal view of the spinal column and spinal cord in a case of spina bifida occulta.

Cross-section of the spinal column through a vertebra (vertebrae and subarachnoid space).

Sagittal section of lumbar area of spinal column showing pertinent anatomy. Needle is removed leaving catheter in place between L3 and L4 vertebrae.

Sagittal section of vertebral column showing epidural space and venous supply of disks.

Posterolateral view of a section of the spinal column showing the vertebrae and their corresponding spinal nerves (spinal column not shown).

Sagittal section of termination of spinal cord, in situ; image also shows conus medullaris, filum terminale, and subarachnoid space.

Sagittal section of spinal cord at 12 weeks' gestation, showing the nerves, vertebral bodies, and cervical (pink), thoracic (orange), lumbar (yellow), sacral (brown), and coccygeal (green) segments.

Median section of the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The image to the right indicates the orientation of the main illustration.

Two cross-sections of spinal area showing congenital defect in which part of vertebral column is absent (top) and more extreme case where spinal cord protrudes beyond vertebral absence (bottom).

Sagittal section of lower spinal column.