Pathology

Thoracolumbar Spine Anatomy and Pathology - Neuroforamina

Sagittal Section through the Neuroforamina

Wolfgang Rauschning, M.D., Ph.D.
Research Professor, Clinical and Applied Anatomy and Pathology
Uppsala University Hospital
Uppsala, Sweden
Sagittal section through the neuroforamina of a severely degenerated lower lumbar spine
Sagittal section through the neuroforamina (root canals) of a severely degenerated lower lumbar spine of a 70–year–old who did not have any history of low–back pain or radicular pain. Contrary to the situation demonstrated in SECTION 19, both the L4–L5 and the L5–S1 discs are almost completely resorbed and the bordering endplates display marked sclerotic changes with destruction of the cancellous bony texture and complete absence of normal red bone marrow. Posteriorly, endplate osteophytes (spondylophytes) project into the lateral recesses and neuroforamina. At L5–S1 there also is a partial ossification of the annulus fibrosus. The dorsal root ganglia are unusually voluminous in this specimen, they occupy almost completely the upper portion of the neuroforamina (subpedicular notch portion) and only a thin layer of fat and sparse, partially compressed veins surround the ganglia. The zygapophyseal (or facet) joints are in a subluxed position due to the loss of segmental height, the pars interarticularis of L5 is being eroded superiorly by the inferior articular process of L4 and inferiorly by the superior articular process of S1. Such pars erosion is a prerequisite for the development of degenerative spondylolisthesis. There is no cartilage in the L5–S1 facet–joint.

©2000 Wolfgang Rauschning, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Anatomy
Academic University Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Uppsala, Sweden
Reproduction without permission is prohibited
http://www.akademiska.se/
Last Updated: 07/29/2004
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