Bone: Vertebral foramen
A typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. (Vertebral foramen is the large hole at the center.)
A cervical vertebra. (Vertebral foramen is the large hole at the center.)
Latin	foramen vertebrale
Gray's	subject #20 96

In a typical vertebra, the vertebral foramen is the foramen formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch.

The vertebral foramen begins at cervical vertebrae #1 (atlas) and continues inferior to lumbar vertebrae #5. Within this foramen the spinal cord and associated meninges are housed.

[edit] References

• This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

[edit] External links

• SUNY Figs 02:01-06
• Vertebral+foramen at eMedicine Dictionary
• Atlas of anatomy at UMich back_bone16 - "Typical Lumbar Vertebra, Superior View; Lumbar Vertebral Column, Oblique Lateral View"

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