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Topic

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Lamina of vertebra

The lamina is a broad, flat bony plate forming part of the vertebral arch. Each vertebra has two laminae, which extend posteromedially from the pedicles to meet in the midline at the spinous process, forming the posterior wall of the vertebral canal. The laminae protect the spinal cord and nerve roots and provide attachment sites for ligaments and muscles, including the ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligaments, and deep paraspinal muscles.

Laminae vary depending on spinal level: cervical laminae are thin and angled, thoracic laminae are slender and long, and lumbar laminae are thicker and robust to bear greater mechanical load. The laminae are crucial for spinal stability, load distribution, and posterior access during surgical procedures such as laminectomy or spinal instrumentation.

Function

  • Protects the spinal cord and nerve roots

  • Serves as an attachment for ligaments and paraspinal muscles

  • Supports the posterior vertebral elements, maintaining spinal stability

  • Contributes to load distribution and posture

  • Provides a surgical landmark for posterior spinal procedures

Synonyms

  • Vertebral lamina

  • Lamina arcus vertebrae

  • Posterior vertebral plate

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Laminae appear as low to intermediate signal intensity (hypointense to isointense) cortical bone

  • Surrounding vertebral bone marrow is high signal, providing contrast

  • Pathological changes like fractures, sclerosis, or tumors show altered signal

T2-weighted images:

  • Laminae are low signal intensity (hypointense) due to dense cortical bone

  • Bone marrow within lamina is intermediate signal, highlighting edema or lesions

  • Useful for detecting stress fractures, tumor infiltration, or degenerative changes

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Cortical lamina remains low signal

  • Edema, inflammation, or bone marrow lesions appear hyperintense, useful for acute fractures or infection

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • Normal lamina shows no significant enhancement

  • Pathological laminae (tumor, infection, inflammation) demonstrate enhancement, highlighting abnormal bone or soft tissue involvement

CT Appearance:

  • Laminae appear as hyperdense cortical bone plates forming the posterior vertebral arch

  • Trabecular bone inside is slightly lower density, providing natural contrast

  • Excellent for detecting fractures, lytic lesions, sclerosis, or congenital anomalies

MRI images

Lamina of vertebra mri axial image

MRI images

Lamina of vertebra mri sagittal image

CT images

laminae of vertebrae ct axial image

MRI image

Lamina