Hi ritaac ~

That means the opening where the nerve comes through "foramen" is narrowed "stenosis". Sounds like you may have bone spurs at that level.


Foramen:


A small opening, orifice, or perforation. Used when something, e.g. nerve, blood vessel, notochord, passes through the opening. Plural foramina.

Stenosis:

A stenosis is an abnormal narrowing.


I hope this helps. If you have more questions please ask and some will try to help.

IMShirl

the exiting nerve roots and neural foramina show moderate encrroachment on the right at c4-5 by uncovertebral spur formation. and axil mr images at the level of c5-6 shows right paracentral disc protrusion. the axial at level c6-7 shows left paracentral disc herniation and minimal ventral aspect cord effacement. there is evidence of moderate ap spinal stenosis. can you help interpret this findings? tx

Like IMshirl said at C4-5 the neural foramina (grooves at the side and towards the back of the vertebra that the nerves coarse out of) have narrowed due to bone spurs.

At C5-6 the disk is sticking out a little.

At C6-7 the disk has ruptured and kind of dissolved or rubbed away some of the cord. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal ap means anterior and posterior or to the front and to the back.