Intervertebral foramen Flashcards
What determines the length of the intervertebral foramen
The width of the pedicle
What is the average height of the intervertebral foramen
about 13mm
What percent of total vertebral column length does “true” intervertebral foramina height from C2-S1 equal
40%
What percent of total vertebral column length does all intervertebral foramina height from occiput - Co1 equal
53%
What are the generic contents of the intervertebral foramen
Neural tissue
Connective tissue
Vascular tissue
Lymphatic tissue
What is the percent of neural tissue in the intervertebral foramen
from 8-10%
What are medullary feeder arteries
Enlarged redicular arteries which joint the arterial vasa corona to provide blood for the spinal cord
What is the names of the largest medullary feeder artery
The artery of Adamkiewicz or the arteria radicalis magna anterior
What are the characteristics of the artery of Adamkiewicz
It is a left side, anterior medullary feeder artery
Located at T9/T10 intervertebral foramen
primary cascular supply to the lumbar enlargment
What ligament lies next to the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus
The posterior longitudinal ligament
What is a unique feature of the veins of the vertebral column
They appear to lack valves
What size lymphatic vessels lie in the intervertebral foramen
Medium sized lymphatics
What types of connective tissue will be present in the intervertebral foramen
Adipose tissue
Loose areolar connective tissue
What parts of the cervical vertebra will modify the intervertebral foramen
The lateral groove
Uncinate process
What happens to cervical nerve roots between their origin from the spinal cord and exit from the intervertebral foramen
They descend along the spinal cord
What is the relationship between aging and cervical spinal nerve root characteristics
The length of the nerve root increases as it descends from its apparent origin on the spinal cord
But the cross sectional area of the nerve root decreases
What is the relationship between aging and cervical spine intervertenbral foramen size
The cross-sectional area diminishes after age 50
What are the specific attachment sites for a cervical spinal nerve
The sulcus for the ventral primary remus on the costotransverse bar and the vertebral artery
WHat contributes to the anterior boudary of the thoracic intervertebral foramen
The costocentral joint
Which are the largest spinal nerves
L5 S1 spinal nerves
What increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5
The lumbosacral tunnel
What forms the lumbosacral tunnel
The lumbosacral ligament
Transverse process of L5 and sacral ala
What condition is the result of encroachment on the L5 spinal nerve
The far out syndrome
What is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spinal nerves
The interertebral disc above the intervetebral is usually the source of damage
What is unusual about the sacral intervertebral foramen compared to other intervertebral foramina
A completely osseous boundary exists
What is more likely the cause of nerve irritation at the sacral intervertebral foramen
The tilt or position of the entire sacrum relative to the pelvis
What is the relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size abouve L4
The nerve root size will account for less than 22% of the available size
What is unique about the relationship of spinal nerve to intervertebral foramen at S5-Co1
There are two nerves present S5 and Co1
What are some examples of destructive lesions of the vertebral body
Tuberculosis
Hemangioma
osteoporosis
What may reduce the impact of intervertebral disc loss of integrity on the intervertebral foramen in the cervical and thoracic spine
The joint of luschka in the cervicals
the costocentral joint in the thoracics
What are examples of osteophyte formation that influence the intervertebral foramen
The bony spurs of the vertebral body and para-articular processes on the lamina
What are examples of acquired alterations of the spinal curves identified in class
Obesity
pregnancy
use of heavy packbacks
What is the recommended weight of a backpack compared to individual weight for the developing spine
Backpack weight should not exceed 10$ individual body weight
