Skip to main content
Biology LibreTexts

8.5.7: Intervertebral Foramina

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    53930

    • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Intervertebral Foramina

    When the vertebrae articulate on top of each other, intervertebral foramina are formed between the bodies of the vertebrae and the superior articulating processes and inferior articulating processes. These intervertebral foramina can be viewed from the lateral aspects of the vertebral column and are important passageways providing means for spinal nerves to attach with the spinal cord.

    Diagram showing the intervertebral foramina formed when vertebrae articulate

    Above: Intervertebral foramina can be seen when vertebrae articulate from a lateral view. These foramina are important since spinal nerves attach to the spinal cord through these passageways. (Left) Vertebrae articulating with intervertebral foramina highlighted in pink. (Right) Articulating vertebrae with the spinal cord passing through the vertebral foramina of the vertebrae and spinal nerves passing through the intervertebral foramina.

    This page titled 8.5.7: Intervertebral Foramina is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Rosanna Hartline.

    1. Back to top
    • Was this article helpful?

    Recommended articles

    1. Article type
      Section or Page
      Author
      Rosanna Hartline
      License Version
      4.0
    2. Tags
      This page has no tags.