Function
The most important function of the spinal canal is to protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the connection from the brain to all organs, muscles, etc. and if it does not function properly, paralysis, organ failure or other limitations occur, so its protection is very important.
A particularly dreaded complication of spinal cord injury is paraplegia. This can also be fatal, depending on the extent of the injury. This is ensured by 3 different components of the spinal canal.
On the one hand, the ligaments and the skeleton form a stable, hardly deformable channel in which the spinal cord lies. The venous plexus and the fatty tissue in the epidural space also absorb external shocks. They form a cushion, so to speak.
Finally, the spinal cord is protected by the liquor. This gives the spinal cord a certain degree of mobility but at the same time prevents it from bumping into the bone. In addition, the spinal canal allows the spinal nerves to safely exit the spinal cord, thus ensuring the supply of the periphery.
A further function of the spinal canal is the formation of the cerebrospinal fluid space. The cerebrospinal fluid is not only a protective cushion for the spinal cord, but also serves the metabolism of the nerve cells. Liquor puncture, which is also carried out from the spinal canal, is an important diagnostic criterion.
It is carried out below the lumbar vertebra L1/2 at the level of the cauda equina in order to protect the spinal cord as much as possible. During CSF puncture, various inflammatory diseases of the brain can be diagnosed by determining the cell count, protein content, antibodies and the like. It is possible to diagnose subarachnoid hemorrhage, various tumors, meningitis or encephalitis and also multiple sclerosis.
Spinal canal stenosis
Spinal canal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can have various causes. This narrowing can lead to pressure on the spinal cord and the vessels in the canal, which can cause back pain or even nerve damage. The pain is usually dependent on the degree of constriction and posture.
When standing with an upright back, the pain usually becomes stronger, whereas it tends to subside when the back is bent. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is aging processes. The spinal column is altered by osteoporosis and bony remodelling processes, particularly in the neck and lumbar region.
The spaces between the vertebrae become smaller and smaller and the ligaments lose their tension. They are, so to speak, wearing out.These two phenomena allow the vortices to shift against each other. If the back muscles are also poorly developed, new bone formations (osteophytes) develop, which can then constrict the spinal canal.
This can lead to a narrowing of the canal. This is usually a lumbar spinal stenosis. Other causes can be, for example, congenital narrowing, spinal injuries, herniated discs and bone diseases.
The diagnosis is usually made by a CT or MRI. The course of the disease depends on the severity of the narrowing of the canal, but usually the disease progresses very slowly. In mild forms, no intervention is necessary as the disease usually progresses without symptoms. In very severe cases, surgery may be indicated to relieve the patient’s pain. The standard therapy is usually pain medication and physiotherapy.
