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Sagittal section through the pedicles of
the same specimen as in SLIDE 1. Note the distinct texture of the
lamellae of the lateral portion of the annulus fibrosus. Some areas
of the endplates show a markedly concave configuration. The pedicles
are relatively short in this specimen, causing the neuroforamina to
assume an inverted teardrop shape. The important neurovascular
structures are located in the "subpedicular notch" which corresponds
to the deep incisura vertebralis inferior of the vertebral body. The
foramen cross–section can be divided into a subpedicular (vertebral)
portion and a disc or retrodiscal portion. The former is bounded by
bone anteriorly and superiorly and by ligamentum flavum joint
capsule posteriorly. The latter is frequently obliterated
(especially at L4– L5) because the disc inserts into the upper
aspect of the pedicle and physiologically "bulges" and because the
ligamentum flavum attaches to the anterior surface of the superior
articular process, thereby forming the capsule of the zygapophyseal
or facet joint. This attachment usually extends to the upper surface
of the pedicle. At L4 and L5 the dorsal root ganglia can be
distinguished from the whiter and smaller ventral roots.
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©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/
