Which surface feature marks the ventral (anterior) surface of the spinal cord?

Which surface feature marks the ventral (anterior) surface of the spinal cord?

• A. Dorsal median sulcus
• B. Ventral/anterior median fissure
• C. Central canal
• D. Lateral funiculus

Answer: (B)

The ventral (anterior) surface is marked by a deep midline groove called the ventral (anterior) median fissure. This fissure runs along the front of the cord and divides it into left and right halves, providing a clear landmark to identify the ventral surface. In contrast, the dorsal surface has a different midline feature, the dorsal median sulcus, which is on the back side. The central canal sits in the very center of the cord and isn’t a surface groove, and the lateral funiculi are the white-matter columns on the sides rather than midline surface markers. So the ventral/anterior median fissure is the defining feature of the ventral surface.

The ventral (anterior) surface is marked by a deep midline groove called the ventral (anterior) median fissure. This fissure runs along the front of the cord and divides it into left and right halves, providing a clear landmark to identify the ventral surface. In contrast, the dorsal surface has a different midline feature, the dorsal median sulcus, which is on the back side. The central canal sits in the very center of the cord and isn’t a surface groove, and the lateral funiculi are the white-matter columns on the sides rather than midline surface markers. So the ventral/anterior median fissure is the defining feature of the ventral surface.