vertebral foramen vertebral foramen in a typical vertebra, the vertebral foramen is the foramen (opening) formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch. not to be confused with intervertebral foramen. vertebral foramena typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. (vertebral foramen is the large hole at the center.)a cervical vertebra. (vertebral foramen is the large hole at the center.)detailsidentifierslatinforamen vertebraleta98a02.2.01.011ta21022fma13479anatomical terms of bone the vertebral foramen begins at cervical vertebra #1 (c1 or atlas) and continues inferior to lumbar vertebra #5 (l5). the vertebral foramen houses the spinal cord and its meninges. this large tunnel running up and down inside all of the vertebrae contains the spinal cord and is typically called the spinal canal, not the vertebral foramen.