J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2012 Oct;52(4):384-390. 10.3340/jkns.2012.52.4.384.

Morphometric Relationship between the Cervicothoracic Cord Segments and Vertebral Bodies

• Kim JH
• Lee CW
• Chun KS
• Shin WH
• Bae HG
• Chang JC

• KMID: 2190657
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2012.52.4.384

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the morphologic characteristics between the vertebral body and the regions of the cervical and thoracic spinal cords where each rootlets branch out.
METHODS
Sixteen adult cadavers (12 males and 4 females) with a mean age of 57.9 (range of 33 to 70 years old) were used in this study. The anatomical relationship between the exit points of the nerve roots from the posterior root entry zone at each spinal cord segment and their corresponding relevant vertebral bodies were also analyzed.
RESULTS
Vertical span of the posterior root entry zone between the upper and lower rootlet originating from each spinal segment ranged from 10-12 mm. The lengths of the rootlets from their point of origin at the spinal cord to their entrance into the intervertebral foramen were 5.9 mm at the third cervical nerve root and increased to 14.5 mm at the eighth cervical nerve root. At the lower segments of the nerve roots (T3 to T12), the posterior root entry zone of the relevant nerve roots had a corresponding anatomical relationship with the vertebral body that is two segments above. The posterior root entry zones of the sixth (94%) and seventh (81%) cervical nerve roots were located at a vertebral body a segment above from relevant segment.
CONCLUSION
Through these investigations, a more accurate diagnosis, the establishment of a better therapeutic plan, and a decrease in surgical complications can be expected when pathologic lesions occur in the spinal cord or vertebral body.

Keyword

Spinal; Cord; Nerve root; Cervical spine; Thoracic spine; Cadaveric study

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cadaver
Humans
Male
Spinal Cord

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Photograph of a cadaver specimen (P-A view) showing the contents of the spinal canal after total laminectomy and durotomy. The intervertebral disc spaces of the cervical spine are marked with pink pins and those of the thoracic spine are marked with green pins. The yellow arrow head indicates the C7-T1 intervertebral disc space.

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  Fig. 2 Photograph showing the rootlet (black arrow head) entering each segment of the cervical (A) and thoracic (B) spinal cord. Red arrow head indicates the intersegmental anastomosis between the spinal rootlets.

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  Fig. 3 Photograph showing the distance of the cervical (A) and thoracic (B) spines. Red line indicates the distance between the uppermost rootlet and the lowermost rootlet in each segment. Blue line is the length of the rootlet between the spinal root entry zone to the intervertebral foramen. The distance from the midline to the posterior root entry zones is decreased in the lower cervical spine.

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