Spinal canal

Spinal canal

Infobox Anatomy
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = c. vertebralis
GraySubject =
GrayPage =


Caption = A typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. (Spinal canal is not labeled, but the hole in the center would comprise part of a spinal canal.)


Caption2 = Human body cavities: The spinal canal is called spinal cavity to the left
System =
MeshName = Spinal+Canal
MeshNumber = A02.835.232.834.803
DorlandsPre = c_04
DorlandsSuf = 12208918
The spinal canal (or vertebral canal or spinal cavity) is the space in vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes. It is a process of the dorsal human body cavity. This canal is enclosed within the vertebral foramen of the vertebrae. In the intervertebral spaces, the canal is protected by the ligamentum flavum posteriorly and the posterior longitudinal ligament anteriorly.

The outermost layer of the meninges, the dura mater, is closely associated with the arachnoid which in turn is loosely connected to the innermost layer of the meninges, the pia mater. The meninges divide the spinal canal into the epidural space and the subarachnoid space. The pia mater is closely attached to the spinal cord. A subdural space is generally only present due to trauma and/or pathological situations. The subarachnoid space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and contains the vessels that supply the spinal cord, namely the anterior spinal artery and the paired posterior spinal arteries, accompanied by a corresponding spinal veins. The spinal arteries form anastomoses known as the vasocorona of the spinal cord. The epidural space contains loose fatty tissue, and a network of large, thin-walled blood vessels called the anterior vertebral venous plexus and the posterior vertebral venous plexus

The spinal canal was first described by Jean Fernel.

External links

* [http://www.orthorehab.wisc.edu/rehab/interventionalpainprogram/images/spinal_Canalnew2.jpgDiagram at wisc.edu]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • spinal canal — n. the canal, or tube, formed by the vertebral arches, containing the spinal cord …   English World dictionary

  • spinal canal — n VERTEBRAL CANAL * * * canalis vertebralis …   Medical dictionary

  • spinal canal — noun the canal in successive vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes • Syn: ↑vertebral canal, ↑canalis vertebralis • Hypernyms: ↑duct, ↑epithelial duct, ↑canal, ↑channel • Part Ho …   Useful english dictionary

  • spinal canal — noun The canal which runs down through the vertebrae and contains the spinal cord and spinal meninges. Syn: vertebral canal …   Wiktionary

  • spinal canal — the tube formed by the vertebrae in which the spinal cord and its membranes are located. See diag. under vertebra. Also called vertebral canal. [1835 45] * * * …   Universalium

  • spinal canal — spi′nal canal n. anat. the tube formed by the vertebrae in which the spinal cord and its membranes are located …   From formal English to slang

  • spinal canal — noun a cavity which runs through each of the vertebrae and encloses the spinal cord …   English new terms dictionary

  • spinal canal — /spaɪnəl kəˈnæl/ (say spuynuhl kuh nal) noun the tube formed by the vertebrae in which the spinal cord and its membranes are located …  

  • spinal canal — noun Date: 1801 vertebral canal …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Spinal cord injury — Spinal cord injuries Classification and external resources View of the vertebral column and spinal cord ICD 10 G …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”