Intervertebral Foramen: General Characteristics, Contents, Regional Characteristics, and Sources of Nerve Compression

Question 1

What percent of total vertebral column length does “true” intervertebral foramina height from C2-S1 equal?

Answer 1

40%

Question 2

What percent of total vertebral column length does all intervertebral foramina height from occiput-Co1 equal?

Answer 2

53%

Question 3

What are the segmental arteries of the cervical spine?

Answer 3

The vertebral artery, ascending cervical artery, and deep cervical artery

Question 4

What are the segmental arteries of the thoracic spine?

Answer 4

The deep cervical artery, highest (superior) intercostal artery, posterior intercostal artery, and subcostal artery

Question 5

What are the segmental arteries of the lumbar spine?

Answer 5

The lumbar arteries, iliolumbar artery, lateral sacral artery, and median sacral artery

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the Artery of Adamkiewicz?

Answer 6

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 7

What will the intervertebral veins drain into?

Answer 7

The external vertebral venous plexus or Batson’s plexus

Question 8

What is a unique histological feature of the veins of the vertebral column?

Answer 8

They appear to lack valves

Question 9

What increases the depth or length of the intervertebral foramen in the cervical spine?

Answer 9

The transverse process

Question 10

What is the location of the spinal nerve within the cervical intervertebral foramen?

Answer 10

Toward the front and middle of the height of the cervical intervertebval foramen

Question 11

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

Answer 11

The length of the nerve root increases as it descends from its apparent origin on the spinal cor, but the cross-sectional area of the nerve root decrease

Question 12

What is the relationship between aging and cervical spine intervertebral foramen size?

Answer 12

The cross-sectional area diminishes after 50

Question 13

What are the specific attachment sites for a cervical spinal nerve?

Answer 13

The sulcus for the ventral primary ramus on the costotransverse bar and the vertebral artery

Question 14

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

Answer 14

The costocentral joint

Question 15

Which are the largest spinal nerves?

Answer 15

L5 and S1 spinal nerves

Question 16

What increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5?

Answer 16

The lumbosacral tunnel

Question 17

What forms the lumbosacral tunnel?

Answer 17

The lumbosacral ligament, transverse process of L5, and sacral ala

Question 18

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

Answer 18

The far out syndrome

Question 19

What ligament may contribute to the loss of size in the lumbar intervertebral foramen?

Answer 19

The transforaminal ligament

Question 20

What is unusual about the sacral intervertebral foramen compared to other intervertebral foramina?

Answer 20

A completely osseous boundary exists

Question 21

What is the unique about the relationship of spinal nerve to intervertebral foramen at S5-Co1?

Answer 21

There are two nerves present, S5 nerve and Co1 nerve

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Tuberculosis, hemangiomas, osteoporosis

Question 23

What may reduce the impact of intervertebral disc loss of integrity on the intervertebral foramen in the cervical and thoracic spine?

Answer 23

The joint of Luschka in the cervicals, the costocentral joint in the thoracics

Question 24

What are examples of osteophyte formation that influence the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 24

The bony spurs of the vertebral body and para-articular processes on the lamina

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Obesity, pregnancy, and the use of heavy backpacks