Morphometric study of the lumbar vertebrae in dried anatomical collections.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this anatomical study was to perform the morphometry of dried lumbar vertebrae in human cadavers. METHODS: This study utilized 200 adult human cadaveric dried lumbar vertebrae. The digital Vernier calipers was used to perform the measurements. The height, antero-posterior length, transverse length of the body of the vertebrae, interpedicular distance at the lateral ends, lamina length, height and thickness, superior and inferior articular facet height and width, mid sagittal and transverse diameter of vertebral foramen, height, width and thickness of the pars inter-articularis were measured. RESULTS: The vertebral body's anteroposterior length was more at the lower border than at the superior border ( p < 0.01). The length of lamina was higher over the right in comparison to the left (p < 0.001). The height of lamina, width of inferior articular facet, diameter of lateral recess and thickness of pars inter-articularis were greater for the left sided specimens ( p < 0.01). The statistical significance was not observed for the comparison of the remaining parameters ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This anatomical study offered several dimensions of lumbar vertebrae, which are essential in the surgical practice. The implants at the lumbar vertebrae need to be manufactured based on the anatomical dimensions of that particular sample population.