Did You Know!
Your Spinal Cord Stops Shorter Than You Think
Here’s something surprising:
Your spinal cord does not run the entire length of your spine.
In most adults, it ends around the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra (L1–L2). Below that, nerve roots continue downward in a bundle called the cauda equina (Latin for “horse’s tail”).
This anatomical detail is why spinal taps (lumbar punctures) are typically performed below L2 — reducing the risk of damaging the spinal cord itself.
