Intervertebral foramen (general/regional)

Question 1

determines length of the intervertebral foramen

Answer 1

width of the pedicle

Question 2

average height of the intervertebral foramen

Answer 2

about 13 mm

Question 3

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

Answer 3

40%

Question 4

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

Answer 4

53%

Question 5

generic contents of the intervertebral foramen

Answer 5

neural tissue, connective tissue, vascular tissue, lymphatic tissue

Question 6

percent of neural tissue in the intervertebral foramen

Answer 6

8-50%

Question 7

characteristics of artery of Adamkiewicz

Answer 7

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

Question 8

what will the intervertebral veins drain into

Answer 8

external vertebral venous plexus or Batsons plexus

Question 9

unique histological feature the veins of the vertebral column

Answer 9

lack valves

Question 10

size of lymphatic vessels that lie in the intervertebral foramen

Answer 10

medium sized lymphatics

Question 11

types of connective tissue that will be present in the intervertebral foramen

Answer 11

adipose tissue and loose areolar connective tissue

Question 12

parts of the cervical vertebra that will modify the intervertebral foramen

Answer 12

lateral groove and uncinate process

Question 13

what happens to cervical nerve roots between their origin from the spinal cord and exit from the intervertebral foramen

Answer 13

they defend along the spinal cord

Question 14

relationship between aging and cervical spine nerve root characteristics

Answer 14

length of the nerve root increases as it depends from its apparent origin on the spinal cord, but the cross-sectional area of the nerve root decreases

Question 15

relationship between aging and cervical spine intervertebral foramen size

Answer 15

cross-sectional area diminishes after age 50

Question 16

specific attachment sites for a cervical spinal nerve

Answer 16

sulcus for the ventral primary rams on the costotransverse bar and the vertebral artery

Question 17

what contributes to the anterior boundary of the thoracic intervertebral foramen

Answer 17

costocentral joint

Question 18

shape of the lumbar intervertebral foramen

Answer 18

reniform or earlobe-shaped

Question 19

relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size above L4

Answer 19

nerve root size will account for less than 22% of the available size

Question 20

relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size below L4

Answer 20

nerve root size will account for up to 30% of the available size

Question 21

which are the largest spinal nerves

Answer 21

L5 and S1

Question 22

increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5

Answer 22

lumbosacral tunnel

Question 23

forms the lumbosacral tunnel

Answer 23

lumbosacral ligament, transverse process of L5 and sacral ala

Question 24

condition that is result of encroachment on the L5 spinal nerve

Answer 24

far out syndrome

Question 25

what is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spinal nerves

Answer 25

intervertebral disc above the intervertebral foramen is usually the source of damage

Question 26

what is unusual about the sacral intervertebral foramen compared to other intervertebral foramina

Answer 26

completely osseous boundary exists

Question 27

what is more likely to cause nerve irritation at the sacral intervertebral foramen

Answer 27

tilt or position of the entire sacrum relative to the pelvis

Question 28

relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size above L4

Answer 28

nerve root size will account for less than 22% of the available size

Question 29

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

Answer 29

there are 2 nerves present, S5 nerve and Co1 nerve