A

David

Darling

cauda equina

cauda equina

Credit: U.S. National Institutes of Health.


The cauda equina is a collection of spinal nerves that descends from the lower part (distal end) of the spinal column, beyond the conus medullaris, and occupies the lower third of the spinal canal (the central space within the spine). The way the nerves splay out resembles a horse's tail, hence the (Latin) name.