[2]: 425 A number of structures pass through the IVF: spinal nerve roots, a recurrent meningeal nerve,[3] radicular arteries (where present),[4][2]: 492–493  segmental medullary arteries (where present),[4] intervertebral veins,[5] and lymphatic vessels.

[3] The posterior (dorsal) root ganglion is situated within the IVF.

[2]: 425  The adipose tissue of the spinal epidural space extends into the IVF.

[3] Foramina can be occluded by arthritic degenerative changes and space-occupying lesions like tumors, metastases, and spinal disc herniations.

[citation needed] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 96 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)