Vertebral canal

Vertebral Canal

The vertebral canal (also known as the spinal canal, neural canal, or dural canal) is a long, tubular space within the vertebral column that houses and protects the spinal cord and its associated structures.

Anatomy

The vertebral canal is formed by the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes. It begins at the foramen magnum of the skull and continues down to the conus medullaris near the second lumbar vertebra, extending through the vertebral foramen of all the vertebrae from the first cervical to the first sacral. The canal's diameter varies along its length, being widest in the cervical and lumbar regions where the spinal cord is thickest.

Structure

The vertebral canal is enclosed by the vertebral column which is made up of 33 individual bones termed vertebrae. The canal is lined with the meninges, protective layers of tissue that surround the spinal cord. Within the canal, the spinal cord is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, which provides further cushioning and protection.

Clinical significance

Conditions such as spinal stenosis can cause narrowing of the vertebral canal, leading to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots, resulting in pain and other symptoms. Other conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, can also affect the vertebral canal.

See also

• Spinal cord
• Vertebral column
• Spinal stenosis
• Foramen magnum