What forms the lateral border of the vertebral foramen?

What forms the lateral border of the vertebral foramen?

• A. Lamina
• B. Pedicles
• C. Spinous process
• D. Body

Answer: (B)

Pedicles form the lateral borders of the vertebral foramen. They are the short, strong bridges that extend from the sides of the vertebral body to the posterior elements, creating the side walls of the vertebral canal. The body provides the anterior boundary, while the laminae form the posterior boundary (with the spinous process projecting directly posteriorly). This arrangement keeps the spinal cord protected inside the canal, and while the tips of the pedicles contribute to the formation of the intervertebral foramina between adjacent vertebrae, the key point for the lateral border is the pedicles themselves.

Pedicles form the lateral borders of the vertebral foramen. They are the short, strong bridges that extend from the sides of the vertebral body to the posterior elements, creating the side walls of the vertebral canal. The body provides the anterior boundary, while the laminae form the posterior boundary (with the spinous process projecting directly posteriorly). This arrangement keeps the spinal cord protected inside the canal, and while the tips of the pedicles contribute to the formation of the intervertebral foramina between adjacent vertebrae, the key point for the lateral border is the pedicles themselves.