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Spinal Anatomy Exam 2 > Intervertebral Foramen > Flashcards

Flashcards in Intervertebral Foramen Deck (33)
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1
Q

What determines the length of the intervertebral foramen?

A

The width of the pedicle

2
Q

What is the average height of the intervertebral foramen?

A

About 13 mm

3
Q

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

A

40%

4
Q

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

A

53%

5
Q

What are the generic contents of the intervertebral foramen?

A

Neural tissue, connective tissue, vascular tissue, lymphatic tissue

6
Q

What is the percent of neural tissue in the intervertebral foramen?

A

From 8 to 50 percent

7
Q

What are medullary feeder arteries?

A

Enlarged radicular arteries which join the arterial vasa corona to provide blood for the spinal cord

8
Q

What is the name of the largest medullary feeder artery?

A

The artery of Adamkiewicz or the arteria radicalis magna anterior

9
Q

What are the characteristics of the artery of Adamkiewicz?

A

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

10
Q

What ligament lies next to the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus?

A

The posterior longitudinal ligament

11
Q

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

A

They appear to lack valves

12
Q

What size lymphatic vessels lie in the intervertebral foramen?

A

Medium sized lymphatics

13
Q

What type(s) of connective tissue will be present in the intervertebral foramen?

A

Adipose tissue and loose areolar connective tissue

14
Q

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

A

The lateral groove and uncinate process

15
Q

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

A

The descend along the spinal cord

16
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

17
Q

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

A

The cross-sectional area diminishes after age 50

18
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

19
Q

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

A

The costocentral joint

20
Q

Which are the largest spinal nerves?

A

L5 and S1 spinal nerves

21
Q

What increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5?

A

The lumbosacral tunnel

22
Q

What forms the lumbosacral tunnel?

A

The lumbosacral ligament, transverse process of L5 and sacral ala

23
Q

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

A

The far out syndrome

24
Q

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

A

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

25
Q

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

A

A completely osseous boundary exists

26
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

27
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 size

28
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

29
Q

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

A

Tuberculosis, hemangiomas, osteoporosis

30
Q

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

A

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

31
Q

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

A

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

32
Q

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

A

Obesity, pregnancy and the use of heavy backpacks

33
Q

What is the recommended weight of a backpack compared to individual weight for the developing spine?

A

Backpack weight should not exceed 10% individual body weight