Foraminal refers to the foramen. That is the opening a spinal nerve passes through on its way out of the spine.
In more detail
- Foramen is Latin for an opening or hole. The plural is foramina. Foraminal is the adjective.
- It is pronounced for-AM-in-al. The stress is on the second syllable. The plural foramina is for-AM-in-a.
- Do not confuse it with laminar or lamina. That is the flat plate of bone at the back of a vertebra. Also do not confuse it with the central canal. That is the large tunnel down the middle that carries the spinal cord.
What it means for you
When a report says ‘foraminal stenosis’ or ‘neuroforaminal narrowing’, it means the side exits, not the main canal. That difference changes the symptoms you would expect. Foraminal narrowing tends to affect one nerve root on one side. That gives symptoms down one arm or one leg. Central canal narrowing gives wider symptoms in both legs.
Remember the general rule. Findings like this one are common in people with no pain at all. They get more common with age. A finding on a report is not a diagnosis until someone has matched it to your symptoms and your exam. See understanding your MRI report.
Bring your scan and report in and we will go through it with you. Call us or request an appointment.
How common is it, and what does it predict?
The foramen is the bony opening on each side of the spine where a nerve root leaves. There is one pair at every level. Foraminal means anything to do with that opening. Reports use the word in several ways: foraminal narrowing or stenosis, foraminal disc protrusion, and place words such as far lateral (far out to the side). It matters because a nerve root passes through it. Narrowing there can cause symptoms in the area that one nerve serves. That is why matching the level named in the report to where your symptoms really are matters more than the word used.
Common questions
What is the difference between foraminal and central stenosis?
Foraminal narrowing affects the side exit and usually one nerve root. Central narrowing affects the main canal and usually both sides. See canal stenosis.
What does ‘neuroforaminal’ mean?
The same thing. The ‘neuro’ part just makes it clear that a nerve passes through it.
Where is the foramen?
It is the opening on each side of the spine, at every level, where a nerve root exits. There are two at each level, left and right.
Does foraminal narrowing always cause symptoms?
No. It is a common finding in people without pain. It matters when the level and side match your symptoms and exam.
That is the subject of Foraminal Narrowing — What It Means.
Why does my report mention left and right separately?
Because there is a foramen on each side at every level, and a nerve root exits through each one. Narrowing on one side only causes symptoms on that side.
Sources
- Fardon DF et al. Lumbar disc nomenclature: version 2.0: Recommendations of the combined task forces of the North American Spine Society, the American Society of Spine Radiology and the American Society of Neuroradiology. The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society, 2014. PubMed 24768732
- Williams AL et al. Lumbar disc nomenclature: version 2.0. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology, 2014. PubMed 25339648
- Brinjikji W et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology, 2015. PubMed 25430861
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