The spinal cord is continuous with the medulla oblongata near the foramen magnum at the base of the skull. Cylindrical in shape, it occupies the vertebral canal of the vertebral column to the LI and LII vertebral level in an adult (eFig. 9.44). Numerous ascending and descending axonal tracts course through the spinal cord and connect with the brain to convey sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) information for facilitation of movement, reflexes, sensory input, and feedback mechanisms.