THE LOCATION OF THE SPINAL NERVE ROOT ON PLAIN RADIOGRAPHS OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE

Twelve cervical spines from C2 to T1 were harvested from embalmed cada vers to study the location of the nerve root on plain radiographs. Aft er removal of the soft tissue, the spinal nerves just lateral to the t ransverse processes were exposed and injected with lead oxide. Plain r adiographs including anteroposterior (AP) and left and right oblique v iews were taken. Angular and linear measurements were performed direct ly on the radiographs. Results showed that the average frontal angle o f the nerve root for all levels was 155 degrees on the AP view, 108 de grees on the foraminal side of the oblique view, and 153 degrees on th e opposite side of the oblique view. The nerve root height for all lev els averaged 4.7+/-0.5 mm. The interpedicular space height increased c onsistently from 7.8+/-0.7 mm at C3-C4 to 9.0+/-1.3 mm at C6-C7 except at C2-C3. The nerve root height with respect to the interpedicular sp ace height was 56.2% at C2-C3, 57.8% at C4-C5, and 53.7% at C6-C7. A k nowledge of the location of the cervical nerve root related to plain r adiographs may enhance the value of plain radiographs in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spinal disorders.