Cervical Lamina

lamina arcus vertebrae cervicalis

The cervical laminae are flat bony plates forming the posterior wall of the spinal canal, joining medially at the spinous process. They are thinner than thoracic or lumbar laminae and provide the structural posterior coverage of the cervical cord. The ligamentum flavum attaches to the inner surface of each lamina, and the multifidus originates from the outer surface.

Region: Neck

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Cervical laminoplasty (open-door or French-door technique) hinges the laminae to expand the spinal canal in multilevel cervical stenosis, preserving posterior tension band function better than laminectomy alone. Laminectomy removes the laminae to decompress the cord but risks kyphotic collapse if the posterior ligamentous complex is disrupted. Laminar hooks and screws are anchored to the lamina in posterior fixation constructs. Calcification of the ligamentum flavum at the laminar attachment is a cause of ossific cervical stenosis.