THE NUTRIENT FORAMINA AND THE NUTRIENT ARTERIES OF THE ARCHES OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRAE IN MAN / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The number, size, direction and position of the nutrient foramina were investigated in a total of 351 dry cervical vertebral arches of human adults. The position of the nutrient foramina is on the external and internal aspect of the arch and is more or less located in a fixed area, but the exact spot varies considerably. One foramen is more frequent on either aspect. The average diameters of the foramina on the external and internal aspect are 0.34 mm and0.26 mm respectively. The foramina on the external aspect are directed towards the pediele and those of the internal aspect backward.A total of 120 vertebral arches (except the atlas) in 20 fresh cadavers of different ages were used to demonstrate the nutrient arteries by dissection and translucent preparation. All nutrient arteries entering the foramina on the external aspectarise from the deep cervical artery and those of the internal aspect from spinal branches of the vertebral artery. After penetrating the arches, they divide into anterior and posterior branches. The former then subdivides into several branches leading to the pedicle, transverse process, upper and lower articular process, whereas the latter branches off into the lamina and spinal process. The course and distribution of the intraosseous arteries have close relation with the ossification of the arch.Small periosteal arteries penetrate the arch from the external aspect only and have not been found on the vertebral canal side except in the new borns.