Comparative Neuroanatomy of the Lumbosacral Spinal Cord of the Rat, Cat, Pig, Monkey, and Human

The overall goal of this work was to create a high-resolution MRI atlas of the lumbosacral enlargement of the spinal cord of the rat (Sprague-Dawley), cat, domestic pig, rhesus monkey, and human. These species were chosen because they are commonly used in basic and translational research in spinal cord injuries and diseases. Six spinal cord specimens from each of the studied species (total of 30 specimens) were fixed, extracted, and imaged. Sizes of the spinal cord segments, cross-sectional dimensions, and locations of the spinal cord gray and white matter were quantified and compared across species. The obtained atlas establishes a reference for the neuroanatomy of the intact lumbosacral spinal cord in these species. It can also be used to guide the planning of surgical procedures of the spinal cord, technology design and development of spinal cord neuroprostheses, and the precise delivery of cells/drugs into target regions within the spinal cord parenchyma.