Dissection of thorax from a posterior approach

Right tenth thoracic nerve within vertebral canal and intervertebral foramen

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Image #132-1

Dissection of thorax from a posterior approach

Right tenth thoracic nerve within vertebral canal and intervertebral foramen

The vertebral canal has been opened by laminectomy and the tenth intervertebral foramen (6) has been opened on the right side by excision of the inferior articular process of the tenth thoracic vertebra. The dorsal and ventral roots of the corresponding nerve have been exposed. The roots penetrate the dura separately in this specimen.

1. Spinal cord
2. Denticulate ligament
3. Upper pointer: Dorsal root thoracic nerve X Lower pointer: Ventral root thoracic nerve X
4. Dorsal spinal branch posterior intercostal artery
5. Arachnoid and dura mater
6. Intervertebral foramen (opened venous plexus partially resected)
7. Posterior longitudinal ligament
8. Articular surface
9. Protrusion of intervertebral disc
10. Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus
11. Pedicle of vertebral arch Th. XI
12. Articular cavity of intervertebral joint
13. Intertransverse thoracis muscle
14. Left pointer: Longissimus thoracis muscle Right pointer: Iliocostalis thoracis muscle
15. Upper pointer: Inferior articular process vertebra Th. IX Lower pointer: Superior articular process vertebra Th. X
16. Joint capsule
17. Left pointer: Transverse process vertebra Th. X Right pointer: Levator costarum brevis muscle
18. Spinal ganglion thoracic nerve X
19. Superior costotransverse ligament
20. Upper pointer: Ramus communicans Lower pointer: Dorsal branch thoracic nerve X
21. Intertransverse ligament
22. Longissimus thoracus muscle (tendon of insertion)