Intervertebral foramina

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Intervertebral foramina

Sacrum, pelvic surface. (The two columns of four holes are the intervertebral foramina of sacrum, visible but not labeled.)

Peculiar thoracic vertebrae. Intervertebral foramina are indicated by arrows.
Latin	foramina intervertebralia
Gray's	p.96

When the spinal vertebrae are articulated with each other the bodies form a strong pillar for the support of the head and trunk, and the vertebral foramina constitute a canal for the protection of the medulla spinalis (spinal cord). Between every pair of vertebrae are two apertures (openings), the intervertebral foramina (singular: foramen; also called neural foramina and often abbreviated as IV foramina). The foramen allows for the passage of the spinal nerve root, dorsal root ganglion, the spinal artery of the segmental artery, communicating veins between the internal and external plexuses, recurrent meningeal (sinu-vertebral) nerves, and transforaminal ligaments.

Their size is variable due to placement, pathology, spinal loading, and posture. They can be occluded by arthritic degenerative changes and space-occupying lesions like tumors, metastases and spinal disc herniations.

Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae all have intervertebral foramina.

External links

Photo of model at Waynesburg College skeleton2/intervertebralforamen
Diagram at emory.edu
Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, at Elsevier 06363.008-2

This article incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy.

Bones of torso (TA A02.2,3, GA 2.96–128)

Vertebra

General structures	body of vertebra vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch) foramina (vertebral, intervertebral) processes (transverse, articular/zygapophysis, spinous) spinal canal

Cervical vertebrae	Uncinate process of vertebra Transverse foramen Anterior tubercle Carotid tubercle Posterior tubercle C1 (lateral mass, anterior arch, posterior arch) C2 (dens) C3, C4, C5, C6 C7

Thoracic vertebrae	T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12 costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse) Uncinate process of vertebra

Lumbar vertebrae	L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 processes (accessory, mammillary)

Sacrum	Base: sacral promontory ala of sacrum Lateral surface: sacral tuberosity pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina) Dorsal surface: posterior sacral foramina median sacral crest medial sacral crest lateral sacral crest sacral canal (sacral hiatus)

Coccyx	Coccygeal cornu

Thoracic skeleton

Rib	specific ribs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, True ribs, False ribs, Floating rib) parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head)

Sternum	Suprasternal notch Manubrium Sternal angle Body of sternum Xiphisternal joint Xiphoid process

Thoracic cage	Superior thoracic aperture Inferior thoracic aperture Intercostal space Costal margin Infrasternal angle

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