Stereotaxic Atlas of the Human Lumbar-Sacral Spinal Cord.

Objective: A Stereotaxic Atlas of the Human Lumbar-Sacral Spinal Cord has been created to provide an anatomical basis for radiologic and ultrasonic imaging and electrophysiological examination, which are used to target the placement of lumbar-sacral epidural stimulating electrodes and cellular transplantation in order to restore movement in individuals with sustained spinal cord injury or a degenerative disorder of the spinal cord. Through the availability of an atlas that exhibits axial images of the cytoarchitecture of each cord segment with a stereotaxic millimeter grid of dorsal-ventral depth from the midline dorsal surface of the cord and right-left distances from the midline of the cord, neuromodulation, and cellular therapy would undoubtedly be made not only more precise but also safer for patients.

Methods: The atlas is based upon dimension measurements and subsequent serial sectioning, staining and high-resolution digital imaging of the lumbar-sacral enlargement of 20 adult human spinal cords.

Results: Nissl stained cross-sections from cord segments L1-S3 illustrate the cytoarchitecture and stereotactic coordinates.

Conclusions: The atlas provides an anatomical basis for radiologic and physiologic confirmation of target localization in the lumbar-sacral spinal cord.