The spinal cord contains four surfaces - posterior surface, two lateral surfaces and anterior surface. All these surfaces are separated by various grooves:

Posterior median fissure (posterior median sulcus) - a slightly shallow groove that extends along the midline of the posterior surface;
Right posterolateral sulcus and left posterolateral sulcus - two grooves found between the posterior and lateral surfaces; they mark the sites where the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves enter the spinal cord;
Anterior median fissure - a deep groove located in the middle of the anterior surface; it is the most prominent groove of the spinal cord;
Right anterolateral sulcus and left anterolateral sulcus - two grooves that are situated between the anterior and lateral surfaces; they mark the sites at which the ventral roots of the spinal nerves exit the spinal cord.

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External surfaces and grooves of spinal cord