intervertebral foramen: regional characteristics

Question 1

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

Answer 1

lateral groove and uncinate process

Question 2

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

Answer 2

they descend along the spinal cord

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

the cross-sectional area diminishes after age 50

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

costocentral joint

Question 7

which are the largest spinal nerves?

Answer 7

L5 and S1 spinal nerves

Question 8

what increases the length of the intervertebral foramen at L5?

Answer 8

lumbosacral tunnel

Question 9

what forms the lumbosacral tunnel?

Answer 9

lumbosacral ligament, transverse process of L5 and sacral ala

Question 10

what condition is the result of encroachment on the L4 spinal nerve?

Answer 10

the far out syndrome

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

a completely osseous boundary exists

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

there are two nerves present, S5 nerve and Co1 nerve