VF
Vertebral foramen
Canal inside vertebrae that houses spinal cord
RegionBack
SystemNervous System
The vertebral foramen is a large opening located within the vertebral column, also known as the spine or backbone. It is formed by the vertebral body and the vertebral arch, and it houses and protects the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain to the lower body.
Structure
The vertebral foramen is an oval-shaped opening located within the vertebral column, which is made up of a series of small bones called vertebrae. The vertebral column is divided into four regions: the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (pelvic) regions. Each vertebra in the vertebral column has a vertebral foramen, and the size and shape of the foramen vary depending on the region of the spine. The vertebral body is the main weight-bearing part of the vertebra, and it is located in the center of the vertebra. The vertebral arch is a bony ring that surrounds the vertebral foramen and is made up of two pedicles and two laminae. The pedicles are small bony protuberances that extend laterally from the vertebral body, and the laminae are thin plates of bone that extend posteriorly from the pedicles. The pedicles and laminae form a bony arch that surrounds and protects the spinal cord. The vertebral foramen is not a solid structure; rather, it is an opening that is filled with soft tissue, such as the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and blood vessels. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain to the lower body, and it is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal nerves are branches of the spinal cord that emerge from the vertebral foramen and innervate (supply sensory and motor fibers to) various parts of the body. The blood vessels in the vertebral foramen provide oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.Location
The vertebral foramen is located within the vertebral column, which extends from the base of the skull to the pelvis. The vertebral column is made up of a series of small bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of each other and separated by intervertebral discs. The intervertebral discs are thin, flat structures that act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to bend and twist.[7] The vertebral foramen is located within each vertebra, and the size and shape of the foramen vary depending on the region of the spine. In the cervical region (neck), the vertebral foramen is small and oval-shaped, and it is located between the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) and the first thoracic vertebra (T1). In the thoracic region (chest), the vertebral foramen is larger and oval-shaped, and it is located between the first thoracic vertebra (T1) and the twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12). In the lumbar region (lower back), the vertebral foramen is large and triangular-shaped, and it is located between the first lumbar vertebra (L1) and the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5). [5]In the sacral region (pelvic), the vertebral foramen is not present because the sacral vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum, which is a triangular-shaped bone located at the base of the spine.Function
The vertebral foramen has several important functions in anatomy, including:- Housing and protecting the spinal cord: The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain to the lower body, and it is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The vertebral foramen houses and protects the spinal cord, allowing it to pass through the vertebral column and connect with the rest of the body.[3]
- Allowing the passage of spinal nerves: The spinal nerves are branches of the spinal cord that emerge from the vertebral foramen and innervate (supply sensory and motor fibers to) various parts of the body.[1] The vertebral foramen allows the spinal nerves to pass through the vertebral column and connect with the rest of the body.
- Providing blood flow to the spinal cord: The vertebral foramen contains blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. Without adequate blood flow, the spinal cord and surrounding tissues can become damaged or diseased.
Clinical Significance
The vertebral foramen is an important structure in anatomy, and any abnormalities or injuries to the foramen can have serious consequences.[6] Some common conditions and injuries that can affect the vertebral foramen include:- Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the vertebral foramen becomes narrowed, which can compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves and cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.[8] Spinal stenosis can be caused by degenerative changes in the spine, such as osteoarthritis or a herniated disc.[4]
- Herniated disc: A herniated disc is a condition in which the intervertebral disc becomes displaced and bulges out of its normal position, which can compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves and cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.
- Spinal fractures: A spinal fracture is a break in one or more of the vertebrae in the vertebral column, which can damage the vertebral foramen and the structures within it. Spinal fractures can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident or a fall, or by osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle.
- Spinal tumors: Spinal tumors are abnormal growths that can develop within or near the vertebral foramen, which can compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves and cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area. Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and they can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.[2]
Published on December 24, 2022
Last updated on April 24, 2025
Last updated on April 24, 2025
