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Topic

design image
Pedicle of vertebra

The pedicle is a short, thick, cylindrical bony structure that connects the vertebral body to the vertebral arch, forming the lateral walls of the vertebral foramen. Each vertebra has two pedicles, one on each side, which serve as the primary bony bridges transmitting forces between the vertebral body and posterior elements. Pedicles provide attachment points for ligaments and muscles, protect spinal nerves as they exit the intervertebral foramina, and are a critical landmark for spinal instrumentation, such as pedicle screws in fusion surgeries.

Pedicles vary in size and orientation depending on spinal level: cervical pedicles are small and obliquely angled, thoracic pedicles are narrow and slanted, and lumbar pedicles are thick, strong, and almost horizontal, reflecting the mechanical demands at each spinal level. Their robust structure is essential for spinal stability and load distribution.

Function

  • Connects the vertebral body to the vertebral arch

  • Protects spinal nerves in the lateral vertebral foramen

  • Transmits mechanical forces from posterior elements to vertebral body

  • Serves as an anchor for spinal instrumentation

  • Contributes to overall vertebral stability and load distribution

Synonyms

  • Vertebral pedicle

  • Pediculus vertebrae

  • Posterolateral vertebral bridge

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

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

  • Surrounding vertebral bone marrow is high signal, allowing visualization of trabecular structure

  • Fractures, sclerosis, or tumor infiltration appear as areas of abnormal signal

T2-weighted images:

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

  • Bone marrow inside the pedicle is intermediate signal, aiding detection of edema or lesions

  • Useful for identifying stress fractures, metastatic lesions, or degenerative changes

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Cortical pedicle remains low signal

  • Edema, inflammation, or marrow lesions appear hyperintense, highlighting acute fractures or infection

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • Normal pedicles show no significant enhancement

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

CT Appearance:

  • Pedicles appear as hyperdense cortical bone cylinders connecting vertebral body and posterior arch

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

  • Excellent for detecting fractures, lytic lesions, sclerosis, or pedicle malformations

  • Axial, sagittal, and coronal reconstructions clearly show pedicle width, trajectory, and integrity, essential for preoperative planning

MRI images

Pedicle of vertebra axial image

MRI images

Pedicle of vertebra sag image

CT image

pedicle of vertebrae ct axial image

CT 3D VRT image

pedicle of vertebrae ct 3d image