The foramen through which the spinal cord passes is the

• A. Vertebral foramen
• B. Transverse foramen
• C. Intervertebral foramen
• D. Sacral foramen

Answer: (A)

The spinal cord runs inside the vertebral canal, which is formed by the vertebral foramina of all the vertebrae lined up along the spine. Each vertebra has a central hole—the vertebral foramen—and when these openings align, they create a continuous passage that houses and protects the spinal cord. The other openings serve different structures: transverse foramina in the cervical vertebrae carry the vertebral arteries and veins; intervertebral foramina are gaps between adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves exit; sacral foramina in the sacrum allow sacral nerves to pass. So the opening through which the spinal cord passes is the vertebral foramen.