Intervertebral Foramen etc. Flashcards
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 to 50 percent
What are medullary feeder arteries?
enlarged radicular arteries which join the arterial vasa corona to provide blood for the spinal cord
What is the name 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 in the T9/T10 intervertebral foramen, and the primary vascular supply to the lumbar enlargement
What ligament lies next to the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus?
the posterior longitudinal ligament
What is a unique histological 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 or loose areolar connective tissue
What parts of the cervical vertebra will modify the intervertebral foramen?
the lateral groove and 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 spine 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 intervertebral 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 ramus on the costotransverse bar and the vertebral artery
What contributes to the anterior boundary of the thoracic intervertebral foramen?
the costocentral joint
Which are the largest spinal nerves?
L5 and 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 of L5 spinal nerve?
the far out syndrome
What determines the length of the intervertebral foramen?
the width of the pedicle
What condition is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spinal nerves?
the intervertebral disc above the intervertebral foramen is usually the source of damage
