Intervertebral Foramen: Regional Characteristics Flashcards Preview

Spinal Anatomy I - Exam 2 > Intervertebral Foramen: Regional Characteristics > Flashcards

Flashcards in Intervertebral Foramen: Regional Characteristics Deck (25)
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1
Q

What are the average dimensions of the cervical intervertebral foramen?

A

about 10mm high and 5mm anterior to posterior

2
Q

What is the relationship of cervical intervertebral foramen height to nerve root size?

A

the height increases but the nerve root size stays about the same from cranial to caudal

3
Q

What parts of the cervical vertebra will modify the intervertebral foramen?

A

the lateral groove and uncinate process

4
Q

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

A

TVP

5
Q

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

A

toward the front and middle of the height of the cervical intervertebral foramen

6
Q

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

A

they descend along the spinal cord

7
Q

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

A

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

8
Q

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

A

the cross-sectional area diminishes after age 50

9
Q

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

A

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

10
Q

What is the average height of the thoracic intervertebral foramen?

A

about 13mm

11
Q

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

A

the costocentral joint

12
Q

What is the average height of the lumbar intervertebral foramen?

A

about 17mm

13
Q

What is the amount of contribution of the intervertebral disc to the height of the lumbar intervertebral foramen?

A

about half

14
Q

What is the shape of the lumbar intervertebral foramen?

A

reniform or earlobe-shaped

15
Q

What is the relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size above L4?

A

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

16
Q

What is the relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size below L4?

A

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

17
Q

Which are the largest spinal nerves?

A

L5 and S1

18
Q

What increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5?

A

the lumbosacral tunnel

19
Q

What forms the lumbosacral tunnel?

A
  • lumbosacral lig.
  • TVP of L5
  • sacral ala
20
Q

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

A

far out syndrome

21
Q

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

A

transforaminal lig.

22
Q

What is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spine nerves?

A

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

23
Q

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

A

a completely osseous boundary exists

24
Q

What is more likely the cause of nerve irritation at the sacral intervertebral foramen?

A

the tilt or position of the entire sacrum relative to the pelvis

25
Q

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

A

there are two nerves present, S5 nerve and Co1 nerve