The vertebral arch forms the lateral and posterior parts of the vertebral foramen.
The vertebral foramina of all the vertebrae together form the vertebral canal, which contains and protects the spinal cord. Superiorly, the vertebral canal is continuous, through the foramen magnum of the skull, with the cranial cavity of the head.
The vertebral arch of each vertebra consists of pedicles and laminae (Fig. 2.19):