View source for Anterior median fissure of spinal cord

{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Anterior median fissure of spinal cord
| Latin       = fissura mediana anterior medullae spinalis
| Image       = Gray675.png
| Caption     = A [[spinal nerve]] with its anterior and posterior roots.
| Image2      = Gray664.png
| Caption2    = Transverse section of the [[spinal cord]] in the mid-thoracic region.
| System      =
| Precursor   =
}}
The '''anterior median fissure of the spinal cord''' is a deep midline groove of the anterior [[spinal cord]].'''<ref name="Sinnatamby-2011">{{Cite book |last=Sinnatamby |first=Chummy S. |title=Last's Anatomy |vauthors= |publisher= |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7295-3752-0 |edition=12th |pages=}}</ref>'''{{Rp|page=486}} It divides the white matter of the anterior spinal cord nearly in two.'''<ref name="Sinnatamby-2011" />'''{{Rp|page=487}} The spinal pia mater extends into the fissure to line the surfaces of the spinal cord.'''<ref name="Sinnatamby-2011" />'''{{Rp|page=453}}
== Anatomy ==
It has an average depth of about 3&nbsp;mm, but this is increased in the lower part of the [[spinal cord]]. It contains a double fold of [[pia mater]]. Its floor is formed by a transverse band of [[white matter]] - the [[anterior white commissure]] - which is perforated by blood vessels on their way to or from the central part of the spinal cord.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
=== Relations ===
The anterior median fissure provides a groove in which the anterior spinal artery sits.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
== Clinical significance ==
=== Imaging ===
The anterior median fissure may be identified on computerized tomography (CT) myelograms, but more commonly on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The AMF has a characteristic appearance on MRI scans that differs from the MRI appearance of the central canal.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray663.png|Diagrams of the medulla spinalis.
</gallery>
==References==
{{Gray's}}
Tomsick T, Peak E, Wang L:  Fluid-Signal Structures in the Cervical Spinal Cord on MRI: Anterior Median Fissure vs. Central Canal. AJNR 2017; 38:840–45
Oichi Y, Hanakita J, Takahashi T, Minami M, Kawakoa T, et al.: Morphological patterns of the anterior median fissure in the cervical spinal cord evaluated by computed tomography after myelography. Neurospine 2018; 15:388-393
Tomsick T, Wang L, Zuccarello M, Ringer AJ.  Fluid-signal structures in the cervical spinal cord on MRI in Chiari patients: Central canal or anterior median fissure?  AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2021 Apr;42(4):801-806. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A7046. Epub 2021 Mar 11.PMID 33707286
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{UMichAtlas|n2a5p1}} - "Medulla Oblongata, Anterior View"
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[[Category:Spinal cord]]
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