Thoracolumbar Spine Anatomy and Pathology - Posterior Contour of the Vertebral Body

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A few millimeters above the level of Section 7
A few millimeters above the level of SLIDE 7 the anatomy changes dramatically: The posterior contour of the vertebral body is beveled and slightly V–shaped. From posteriorly large enthesopathic (insertion–site calcification) ligamentum flavum osteophytes at the superior articular processes cause complete obliteration of the subpedicular notch and of the lateral recesses. The ganglia are dislocated laterally and flattened against the inferior surface of the pedicles by the disc underneath and the superior articular process. Anteriorly in the vertebral canal, thick and congested (black) veins are visible. The thecal sac is flattened from the sides but has a much wider diameter in this less mobile portion of the motion segment and the thin cauda equina roots are surrounded by CSF.

©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/
Updated on: 02/01/10

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