Final answer:
If a lateral horn is absent, the spinal cord is between C1 - C8 or L3 - S5.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the spinal cord, the gray matter is divided into regions called horns. The anterior horn sends out motor signals to skeletal muscles, the posterior horn is responsible for sensory processing, and the lateral horn contains cell bodies of motor neurons of the autonomic nervous system. However, the lateral horn is only found in the thoracic, upper lumbar, and sacral regions. Therefore, if a lateral horn is absent, the spinal cord is between C1 - C8 or L3 - S5, as the lateral horn is not present in these regions.