Selkäkanava

Selkäkanava, known in English as the spinal canal, is a crucial anatomical structure located within the vertebral column. It serves as a protective passage that houses the spinal cord along with associated meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, nerve roots, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. The spinal canal is formed by the vertebral foramen of each vertebra stacked together, creating a continuous, enclosed cavity that runs from the base of the skull down to the sacrum.

The canal's size and shape vary along its length, being widest in the cervical and lumbar regions to accommodate the enlargements of the spinal cord. It narrows in the thoracic region, following the general structure of the vertebral column. The integrity of the spinal canal is essential for safeguarding the spinal cord from mechanical injury and providing a conduit for nerve transmission.

Within the spinal canal, the spinal cord is surrounded by the meninges—three protective layers called the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. Cerebrospinal fluid circulates within the subarachnoid space, cushioning the spinal cord and supplying nutrients. The spinal nerves exit the canal through intervertebral foramina, which are openings between adjacent vertebrae.

Pathological conditions can affect the spinal canal's integrity, leading to narrowing (spinal stenosis), herniated discs, or tumors, which may impinge on the spinal cord or nerve roots, resulting in pain, numbness, or neurological deficits. Understanding the anatomy of the spinal canal is fundamental in diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders.