MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF LUMBAR VERTEBRAE AND ITS APPLIED CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

Introduction: The lumbosacral spine is the region of transition from the appendicular to the axial skeleton. Accidents, degenerative conditions, congenital defects and neoplastic metastases often affect the lumbar region. Low back pain resulting from lumbar canal stenosis is one of the major complaints in young to adult population. Apart from that lumbar vertebrae morphometry is required in many surgical as well as anaesthetic procedures. Aims and objectives: The present study was undertaken to determine the morphometry of human cadaveric lumbar vertebrae and to compare findings with other authors and forming a baseline data in relation to various lumbar canal pathologies that can be of help to the medical and surgical experts. Materials and methods: Dried lumbar vertebrae were obtained from the Department of Anatomy of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India. Vertebrae belonging to same set and without any external deformity were chosen and separated into typical and atypical ones. Measurement of Midsaggital diameter, Interpedicular distance, and Anteroposterior diameter of lateral recess was done using digital vernier calliper. Observations and Results: The study showed increase in all the diameters from L1 to L5 with a narrowing in all cases at L3 level. Therefore, L3 remains the transition point in all the measurements and thus one of the possible sites for nerve root compression due to canal stenosis, which is one of the major causes of low back pain. Conclusion: The present data forms a baseline of adult lumbar vertebral morphology and is useful source of information to surgeons, physicians and anatomists. It is also helpful for the screw and implant manufacturers. Further study with sex and ethnic consideration can generate forensic and anthropological data.