Variability of the intervertebral foramens of the thoracic spine in mature individuals

Abstract

Background. When the morphological parameters of the intervertebral foramina change, when the vessels are compressed, the blood supply to the corresponding segments of the spinal cord is disturbed, the compression of the spinal nerves leads to radicular syndrome, a violation of the innervation of certain segments of the body. The purpose of the study is to identify patterns of variability in the size and shape of the intervertebral foramens of the thoracic spine in adults. Materials and methods. On 92 CT-grams of the thoracic spine of mature subjects (21–60 years old, 42 men and 50 women), the size and shape of the intervertebral foramen were studied. Results. The patterns of variability of sizes and shapes, as well as the extensiveness of the forms of the intervertebral foramens of the thoracic spine were revealed. Conclusions. At the level of the arch of thoracic kyphosis, the upper-lower diameter of the hole prevails in men compared to women, above and below the arch – on the contrary, this parameter is larger in women compared to men. The anteroposterior diameter of the foramina is statistically significantly larger in the female sample than in the male sample and 20–30% less than in the upper lower one. The frequency of occurrence of various forms of holes depends on the floor and level of location.

Keywords

• intervertebral foramina
• thoracic spine