Other nerves, lymph vessels, and arteries also pass through these foramina. These foramina provide a passage for the spinal nerve roots as they branch off the spinal cord or cauda equina and exit the vertebral column. The vertebrae are connected to each other through facet joints and a network of ligaments.Ī pair of intervertebral foramina (bony openings) are present between the pedicles of adjacent vertebrae. The lumbar spinal canal houses and protects the spinal cord (down to the L2 vertebra) and cauda equina (downward after L2). When the vertebrae are stacked, this space forms the spinal canal. The hollow space inside the vertebral arch is the vertebral foramen. Similar to the spinous process, these also serve as attachment points for spinal muscles. On either side of the spinous process, there are bony protrusions called the transverse processes. This process can be felt while touching the lower back and serves as an attachment for various muscles of the spine. At the mid-point of the vertebral arch, a bony protrusion called the spinous process projects backward and downward. The laminae decrease in height from L1 to L5. The pedicles continue behind the vertebral body to form the laminae, the major portion of the vertebral arch. In: Clinical Anatomy of the Spine, Spinal Cord, and Ans. The vertebral arch has the following componentsģ Cramer GD. The back of the vertebra contains a bony vertebral arch with an open central space. The pedicles also help transfer loads from the vertebral body to the vertebral arch.ģ Cramer GD. Vertebral pedicleĪ pedicle is a short section of thick and rounded bone that connects the vertebral body to the vertebral arch at the back. The vertebral bone is resistant to bending or buckling and contains cavities that allow blood vessels to grow into the vertebral body for nourishment.
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