In a typical
vertebra
Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spina ...
, the vertebral foramen is the
foramen
In anatomy and osteology, a foramen (; : foramina, or foramens ; ) is an opening or enclosed gap within the dense connective tissue (bones and deep fasciae) of extant and extinct amniote animals, typically to allow passage of nerves, artery, ...
(opening) of a vertebra bounded ventrally/anteriorly by the
body of the vertebra, and the dorsally/posteriorly by the
vertebral arch
Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spinal ...
.
In the articulated spine, the successive vertebral foramina of the stacked vertebrae (together with adjacent structures) collectively form the
spinal canal (vertebral canal) which lodges the
spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata in the lower brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column (backbone) of vertebrate animals. The center of the spinal c ...
and its
meninges
In anatomy, the meninges (; meninx ; ) are the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord. In mammals, the meninges are the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. Cerebrospinal fluid is located in the subarachnoid spac ...
as well as
spinal nerve roots and blood vessels.
See also
*
Atlas (anatomy)#Vertebral foramen
References
External links
* - "Superior and lateral views of typical vertebrae"
Vertebral foramen- BlueLink Anatomy - University of Michigan Medical School
* - "Typical Lumbar Vertebra, Superior View; Lumbar Vertebral Column, Oblique Lateral View"
Bones of the thorax
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