intervertebral foramen

(noun)

The foramen allows for the passage of the spinal nerve root, dorsal root ganglion, the spinal artery of the segmental artery, the communicating veins between the internal and external plexuses, recurrent meningeal (sinu-vertebral) nerves, and transforaminal ligaments.

Related Terms

Examples of intervertebral foramen in the following topics:

  • Branches of Spinal Nerves

    • The meningeal branches (recurrent meningeal or sinuvertebral nerves): These branch from the spinal nerve and re-enter the intervertebral foramen to serve the ligaments, dura, blood vessels, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and periosteum of the vertebrae.

  • Overview of the Spinal Nerves

    • The spinal nerve emerges from the spinal column through an opening (intervertebral foramen) between adjacent vertebrae.
    • The meningeal branches (recurrent meningeal or sinuvertebral nerves) branch from the spinal nerve and re-enter the intervertebral foramen to serve the ligaments, dura, blood vessels, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and periosteum of the vertebrae.

  • Cartilaginous Joints: Symphyses

    • The more prominent symphyses are the pubic symphysis; the symphyses between the bones of the skull, most notably the mandible (symphysis menti); sacrococcygeal symphysis; the intervertebral disc between two vertebrae; and in the sternum, between the manubrium and body, and between the body and xiphoid process.
    • Intervertebral discs (or intervertebral fibrocartilage) lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine.
    • The lateral and superior view of an invertebral disc, including the vertebral body, intervertebral foramen, anulus fibrosis, and nucleus pulposus.

  • Overview of the Spinal Cord

    • The spinal nerve emerges from the spinal column through the opening (intervertebral foramen) between adjacent vertebrae.

  • Sciatic Nerve Injury

    • This can occur as a result of a spinal disk bulge or a spinal disc herniation (a herniated intervertebral disc), or from roughening, enlarging, or misalignment (spondylolisthesis) of the vertebrae, or as a result of degenerated discs that can reduce the diameter of the lateral foramen (natural hole) through which nerve roots exit the spine.
    • The intervertebral discs consist of an annulus fibrosus, which forms a ring surrounding the inner nucleus pulposus.

  • Parts of a Vertebra

    • When articulated together the vertebrae form a strong yet flexible structure that encloses the vertebral foramen, or opening, where the spinal cord sits.
    • The intervertebral foramina that facilitate access to the spinal cord for nerves and vessels.
    • The intervertebral discs that act as ligaments between the vertebral bodies.

  • The Spine

    • Situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso and separated by intervertebral discs, it houses and protects the spinal cord in its spinal canal.
    • There are normally 33 vertebrae in humans, including the five that are fused to form the sacrum, the four coccygeal bones that form the tailbone, and the others separated by intervertebral discs.
    • These parts together enclose the vertebral foramen that contains the spinal cord.
    • Between each pair of vertebrae are two small openings called intervertebral foramina through which the spinal nerves exit.

  • Spinal Cord Grey Matter and Spinal Roots

    • The human spinal cord extends from the foramen magnum of the occipital bone of the skull and continues to the conus medullaris near the second lumbar vertebra, terminating in a fibrous extension known as the filum terminale.
    • Dorsal roots and ventral roots come together and exit the intervertebral foramina as they become spinal nerves.

  • Foramina

    • In anatomy, a foramen is any opening.
    • Supraorbital foramen: Located in the frontal bone, it allows passage of the supraorbital vein, artery, and nerve into the orbit.
    • Optic foramen: Located in the sphenoid, it allows the passage of the ophthalmic artery and nerve from the optic canal into the orbit.
    • Foramen magnum: Located in the occipital bone, it allows the passage of the spinal and vertebral arteries and the spinal cord to pass from the skull into the vertebral column.
    • Foramen rotundum: Located in the sphenoid bone, it allows passage of the maxillary nerve.

  • Accessory (XI) Nerve

    • It begins in the central nervous system (CNS) and exits the cranium through a foramen.
    • The fibers that make up the accessory nerve enter the skull through the foramen magnum and proceed to exit the jugular foramen with cranial nerves IX and X.
    • Upon exiting the skull via the jugular foramen, the spinal accessory nerve pierces the sternocleidomastoid muscle before terminating on the trapezius muscle.