spinal canal
Cord's bony passage
The spinal canal is the passage formed by the hollow centers of the vertebrae, running the length of the spine.
It houses and protects the spinal cord and its surrounding membranes.
Narrowing of the spinal canal, called spinal stenosis, can compress nerves and cause pain or numbness.
Interlocking bones of spine
coccygeal · foramen · meninges · dura mater · intervertebral discs · ligaments · vertebral column · lamina
Removing vertebral arch surgically
- discectomyExcision of spinal cushion
- decompressionReduction of pressure
- neurosurgeryMedical field treating brain surgically
- orthopedic surgeryMusculoskeletal operative medicine
anesthesia · incision · instrumentation · recovery · postoperative · minimally invasive · endoscopic
Abnormal bodily narrowing
- herniationOrgan protruding abnormally
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- narrowingReduction in width
- myelopathySpinal cord pathology
radiculopathy · sciatica · degenerative · arthritis · bone spurs · bulging disc · pinched nerve · inflammation
Spinal cord branch points
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- myelinNerve fiber insulation
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
ganglion · sensory nerves · motor nerves · reflex arc · neurotransmitter · glia · brainstem · plexus
Magnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
- contrast dyeImaging agent for visibility
- radiologistDoctor analyzing medical images
cross-section · sagittal · lumbar puncture · diagnostic · visualization · anatomy scan
vertebrae
Interlocking bones of spine
sacral · coccygeal · foramen · meninges · dura mater · intervertebral discs · ligaments · vertebral column · lamina · pedicle
laminectomy
Removing vertebral arch surgically
- discectomyExcision of spinal cushion
- decompressionReduction of pressure
- neurosurgeryMedical field treating brain surgically
orthopedic surgery · anesthesia · incision · instrumentation · recovery · postoperative · minimally invasive · endoscopic
stenosis
Abnormal bodily narrowing
- herniationOrgan protruding abnormally
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- narrowingReduction in width
myelopathy · radiculopathy · sciatica · degenerative · arthritis · bone spurs · bulging disc · pinched nerve · inflammation · tumor
nerve roots
Spinal cord branch points
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- myelinNerve fiber insulation
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
dendrite · ganglion · sensory nerves · motor nerves · reflex arc · neurotransmitter · glia · brainstem · plexus · dermatome
MRI
Magnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
- contrast dyeImaging agent for visibility
radiologist · cross-section · sagittal · lumbar puncture · diagnostic · visualization · anatomy scan
- back anatomybackbone, back, vertebral column, upper back, vertebrae
- body canalsear canal, birth canal, root canal, alimentary canal, auditory canal
- body cavitiesoral cavity, nasal cavity, cranial cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity
- body passagesmouth, nose, ear, nostril, anus
- spinevertebra, backbone, vertebral body, cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae
- skeletal openingsforamen, foramen ovale, mental foramen, infraorbital foramen, auditory canal
spinal canalperipheral nerves
Neural pathways outside CNS
cranial cavity · abdominal cavity · pelvic cavity · medullary cavity