Intervertebral Foramen

Question 1

Average height of intervertebral foramina

Answer 1

12.9 mm

Question 2

What is the sum of the heights of the true intervertebral foramina from C2/C3 to L5/S1 (percent)

Answer 2

40%

Question 3

When entire column is considered, height of all intervertebral foramina equals: (percent)

Answer 3

53%

Question 4

Segmental arteries (review)

Answer 4

C1-C6: ascending cervical artery 
C1-C6: vertebral artery 
C7, T1: deep cervical artery 
T1, T2: highest/superior intercostal artery
T3-T11: posterior intercostal artery 
T12: subcostal artery 
L1-L4: lumbar artery 
L5: iliolumbar artery
L5-Co1: lateral sacral artery 
L5-Co1: Median/middle sacral artery

Question 5

What are the characteristics of the Artery of Adamkiewicz (Arteria Radicalis Magna Anterior)

Answer 5

It is a left side, anterior medullary feeder artery, located in the T9/T10 intervertebral foramen, and the primary vascular supply to the lumbar enlargement

Question 6

What is the relationship between aging and cervical spine nerve root characteristics?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What are the specific attachment sites for cervical spinal nerve?

Answer 7

The sulcus for the vertebral primary ramus (C4-C7) on the costotransverse bar and the vertebral artery. Additional attachment occurs b/w the adventitia of the vertebral artery and the epineurium

Question 8

What contributes to the anterior boundary of the thoracic intervertebral foramen?

Answer 8

The costocentral joint

Question 9

Where do cervical spinal nerves tend to exit?

Answer 9

exit in the middle and toward the front of the IVF

Question 10

The outline of the lumbar foramen is described as?

Answer 10

reniform or earlobe-shaped

Question 11

What are the largest spinal nerves in the human body?

Answer 11

L5 and S1

Question 12

What increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5?

Answer 12

the lumbosacral tunnel

Question 13

What condition is the result of encroachment on the L5 spinal nerve?

Answer 13

the far out syndrome (tvp of L5, sacral ala, and lumbosacral ligament form boundaries of the tunnel)

Question 14

in 47% of the population transforaminal ligaments partition the intervertebral foramen into two variously sized compartments

Answer 14

in case you were wondering

Question 15

Lower spinal nerves can be frequently compressed by?

Answer 15

the IVD above their exiting foramen

Question 16

What represents the zygapophysis and capsular ligament in the the sacrococcygeal IVF?

Answer 16

sacral cornu, coccygeal cornu, and intercornual ligament

Question 17

What is unique about the relationship of spinal nerve to IVF at S5-Co1

Answer 17

There are two nerves present, S5 nerve and Co1 nerve

Question 18

What are some examples of destructive lesions of the vertebral body?

Answer 18

tuberculosis, hemangiomas, osteoporosis

Question 19

What are examples of acquired alterations of the spinal curves identified in class?

Answer 19

obesity, pregnancy and the use of heavy backpacks

Question 20

What is recommended weight of a backpack compared to individual weight for the developing spine?

Answer 20

Backpack weight should not exceed 10% individual body weight (can increase lordotic lumbar curve