location of neural foramina

Q: Each neural foramina lies just ____________ the same number of  vertebral body? (select one)

A) above

B) below

Answer: B

The lumbosacral spine consists of 11 structures, i.e., 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5), 5 sacral vertebrae (S1-S5), and a terminal bony prominence called the coccyx. Directly beneath each vertebra lies a pair of neural foramina. For example, L1 neural foramina are located below the L1 vertebral body. Each neural foramen passes the same numbered spinal nerve root, recurrent meningeal nerves, and radicular blood vessels.

References:

1. Hay MC. Anatomy of the lumbar spine. Med J Aust 1976; 1:874.

2. Hashmi SS, Seifert KD, Massoud TF. Thoracic and Lumbosacral Spine Anatomy. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2022 Nov;32(4):889-902. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2022.07.024. PMID: 36244729.