Vertebral foramen
Encyclopedia
In a typical vertebra, the vertebral foramen is the foramen (opening) formed by the anterior segment (the body
), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch
.
The vertebral foramen begins at cervical vertebrae
#1 (atlas
) and continues inferior to lumbar vertebrae
#5. Within this foramen the spinal cord
and associated meninges
are housed.
Body of vertebra
The body is the largest part of a vertebra, and is more or less cylindrical in shape. For vertebrates other than humans, this structure is usually called a centrum....
), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch
Vertebral arch
The vertebral arch is the posterior part of a vertebra.It consists of a pair of pedicles and a pair of laminae, and supports seven processes:* four articular processes* two transverse processes* one spinous process...
.
The vertebral foramen begins at cervical vertebrae
Cervical vertebrae
In vertebrates, cervical vertebrae are those vertebrae immediately inferior to the skull.Thoracic vertebrae in all mammalian species are defined as those vertebrae that also carry a pair of ribs, and lie caudal to the cervical vertebrae. Further caudally follow the lumbar vertebrae, which also...
#1 (atlas
Atlas (anatomy)
In anatomy, the atlas is the most superior cervical vertebra of the spine.It is named for the Atlas of Greek mythology, because it supports the globe of the head....
) and continues inferior to lumbar vertebrae
Lumbar vertebrae
The lumbar vertebrae are the largest segments of the movable part of the vertebral column, and are characterized by the absence of the foramen transversarium within the transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body...
#5. Within this foramen the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
and associated meninges
Meninges
The meninges is the system of membranes which envelopes the central nervous system. The meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. The primary function of the meninges and of the cerebrospinal fluid is to protect the central nervous system.-Dura...
are housed.