Final answer:
To determine the level of the spinal cord, start from the cervical region (C) and go down to the sacral region (S). Each region corresponds to the level at which spinal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramina.
Step-by-step explanation:
The level of the spinal cord can be determined by identifying the corresponding region of the vertebral column. Starting from the level of the cervical region (C), you can go down to the thoracic region, then the lumbar region, and finally the sacral region (S).
Each region corresponds to the level at which spinal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramina. For example, the cervical region corresponds to the C1 to C8 nerves, the thoracic region corresponds to the T1 to T12 nerves, the lumbar region corresponds to the L1 to L5 nerves, and the sacral region corresponds to the S1 to S5 nerves.
The spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord at their respective levels and pass through the intervertebral foramina. As the vertebral column grows, these nerves grow with it, resulting in a long bundle of nerves called the cauda equina.