Intervertebral foramen: Regional Characteristics and Sources of Nerve Compression Flashcards
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?
the descend along the spinal cord
What is the relationship between aging andcervical spine nerve root characteristics?
the length of the nerve root increases as it descends from the apparent origin on the spinal cord, but the cross-sectional are of the nerve root decreases
What is the relationship between aging and cervical spine intervertebral foramen size?
the cross-sectional area diminishes after ago 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 on the L5 spinal nerve?
the far out syndrome
What ligament may contribute to the loss of size in the lumbar intervertebral foramen?
the transforaminal ligament
What is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation andlumbar spinal nerves?
the intervertebral disc above the intervertebral foramen i usually the source of damage
What is unusal about the sacral intervertebral foramen compared to the other intervertebral foramina?
a completely osseous boundary exists
What is the most likely cause of nerve root irritation at the sacral intervertrbal foramen?
the tilt of position of the enitre sacrum relative to the pelvis
What is the relationship of lumbar nerve root size to the intervertebral size above L4?
the nerve root size will account for less than 22% of the available size
What is unique about the relationship of spinal nerve to intervertebral foramen at S5-Co1?
there are two neres present, S5 nerve and Co1 nerve
What are some examples of destructive lesions of the vertebral body?
tuberculosis, hemangiomas, osteoporosis
What may reduce the impact of the intervertebral disc loss of intergrity on the intervertebral foramen in the cervical and thoracic spine?
the jointof Luschka in the cervicals, the costocentral joint in the thoracics
What are examples of osteophyte formation that influence the intervertebral foramen?
the bony spurs of the vertebral body and para-articular processes on the lamina
Whar are examples of acquired alterations of the spinal curves identified in class?
obesity, pregnancy, and the use of heavy backpacks
