Intervertebral Foramen: Regional Characteristics Flashcards
What parts of the cervical vertebra will modify the intervertebral foramen?
Lateral Groove and Uncinate Process
What happens to cervical nerve roots between their origin from the spinal cord and exit from the intervertebral foramen?
Descend along spinal cord
What is the relationship between agin and cervical spine nerve root characteristics?
Length of nerve root increases as it descends from it’s apparent origin on the spinal cord, but cross-sectional area of nerve root decreases.
What is the relationship between aging and cervical spine intervertebral foramen size?
Cross-sectional area diminishes after age 50
What are the specific attachment sites for a cervical spine nerve?
Sulcus for ventral primary ramus on costotransverse bar and vertebral A
What contributes to anterior boundary of the thoracic intervertebral foramen?
Costocentral Joint
Which are the largest spinal nerves?
L5 and S1 Spinal Nerves
What increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5?
Lumbosacral Tunnel
What forms the lumbosacral tunnel?
Lumbosacral Ligament
Transverse process of L5
Sacral Ala
What condition is the result of encroachment of the L5 spinal N?
Far out syndrome
What is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spinal nerves?
Intervertebral disc above the intervertebral foramen is usually the source of damage
What is unusual about the sacral intervertebral foramen compared to other intervertebral foramen?
A completely osseous boundary exists
What is more likely the cause of nerve irritation at the sacral intervertebral foramen?
Tilt or position of the entire sacrum relative to the pelvis
What is the relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size above L4?
Nerve root size will account for less than 22% of available size
What is unique about the relationship of spinal nerve to intervertebral foramen at S5-Co1?
2 nerves present S5 and Co1 N
