Lateral recess spinal stenosis is defined as narrowing of which region?

Lateral recess spinal stenosis is defined as narrowing of which region?

• A. Spinal Canal
• B. Intervertebral Foramen
• C. The Lateral Zone Between Thecal Sac and IVF
• D. Pedicle

Answer: (C)

Lateral recess stenosis refers to narrowing of the space just lateral to the dural sac as it approaches the intervertebral foramen. This region lies between the thecal sac medially and the boundary of the intervertebral foramen laterally. Degenerative changes such as facet joint hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum buckling, or disc bulge can narrow this lateral recess, compressing the traversing (and sometimes exiting) nerve roots before they enter the foramen. This differs from central canal stenosis, which narrows the main spinal canal around the thecal sac, and from foraminal stenosis, which narrows the intervertebral foramen itself. The pedicle is a bone, not the region described by lateral recess stenosis.

Lateral recess stenosis refers to narrowing of the space just lateral to the dural sac as it approaches the intervertebral foramen. This region lies between the thecal sac medially and the boundary of the intervertebral foramen laterally. Degenerative changes such as facet joint hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum buckling, or disc bulge can narrow this lateral recess, compressing the traversing (and sometimes exiting) nerve roots before they enter the foramen. This differs from central canal stenosis, which narrows the main spinal canal around the thecal sac, and from foraminal stenosis, which narrows the intervertebral foramen itself. The pedicle is a bone, not the region described by lateral recess stenosis.