How does one see the foramenal and tiny blood vessels of the lumbar spine? (e.g. the vessels that exit with the nerves)

Imaging studies: Either a ct with contrast (to enhance blood vessels) or an MRI should be able to delineate the lumbar vasculature. More invasive study would be selective angiography.

Not seen: These are not well visualized on conventional imaging studies. Usually only if there is an existing abnormality of spinal blood vessels-such in an avm, can they be seen, and usually only with an invasive spinal angiogram.