[Anatomical basis of the extraspinal cord compression]

Knowledge of anatomical landmarks of the spinal cord within the vertebral foramen is essential to understand the pathogenesis of spinal cord compression by tumor growth. The spinal cord can spread in the intervertebral foramen, the epidural space, the vertebral body, and the posterior neural arch. The morphology of the spinal cord, the relations of the spinal roots with the vertebrae, the principal fiber tracts, the spinal membranes, and the arterial and venous distribution are described in order to explain and analyze signs and disorders caused by the most frequent tumors involved in spinal cord compression.