A multiplanar anatomic study of the cervical proximal nerve roots and spinal nerves

Abstract

AbstractAn anatomic study focused on the proximal cervical spinal nerves has not been reported. Therefore, we dissected the cervical spinal nerves of three cadavers and examined stained sections in parasagittal and axial planes through the proximal cervical spinal nerves and root sheaths. These studies documented distinct segments of the spinal nerve which had not been completely described in the previous anatomic studies. The sheath originates from the dural sac as a common sleeve, divides into two sleeves, one containing the ventral root and one the dorsal root, and then distal to the dorsal root ganglion fuses again into one sleeve. A space, the interradicular cleft, separates the dorsal and ventral portions of the sleeve. The proximal segment of the spinal nerve proper distal to the dorsal root ganglion is composed of multiple small fascicles surrounded by a dense epineurium. The presence of an interradicular cleft in the cervical nerve root sheath and of fascicles in the cervical spinal nerve has significance for imaging of the cervical spinal nerves and for the pathogenesis of symptoms in cases of partial compression. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.