European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: The objective of this anatomical study was to perform the morphometry of dried lumbar vertebrae in human cadavers. The vertebral column is composed of Vertebrae and intervertebral discs. It stretches right from the skull extending upto coccyx. It is comprised of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral class. Major functions of the vertebra include spinal cord protection, protection of spinal nerves branching, thorax and abdominal support and allow flexibility. At the same time, it also permits mobility of the body. Role of the intervertebral discs includes mobility without surrendering the supportive power of the vertebra. Since the surgical techniques of the vertebral column involve the utilization of bony anatomical landmarks, the morphometric data of the various parts of the vertebrae are essential. The accurate anatomical dimensional knowledge is important to understand the etiopathogenesis of the lower backache. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study on 47 dry macerated adult human lumbar vertebral sets. All sets were taken from Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Ongole, Prakasam. An Institutional Ethics Committee approval as well as prior permission of the concerned authorities were obtained. It was ensured that all selected vertebrae were apparently normal, fully ossified without any congenital or degenerative. Each vertebra was marked for both segments (body and arch) followed by measurements. Linear measurements were done by ‘Digital Vernier Caliper’ with precision 0.01mm and ‘Digital Planimeter’. Various parameters of body measured. All the measurements were taken twice on both right and left side with the help of sliding vernier caliper, Result: The pedicle height of the lumbar vertebrae on right side ranged from 22.07 mm to 12.38 mm with mean 15.89 ± 3.09mm. However, mean of the pedicle height on left side was estimated to be 15.75± 3.08 mm with range falling between 22.03mm (maximum) - 12.28 mm (minimum). The total average of pedicular height ranged from 22.05 mm to 12.33 mm with a mean of 15.83 ±4.09 mm. These observations were statistically significant with p value of 0.031. The observations summarized that pedicle width of lumbar vertebrae on right side ranged from 19.75 to 7.44 mm with a mean of 12.9 ± 3.79 mm. However, the pedicular width on left side ranged from 19.61 to 7.43 mm with mean of 11.83 and ± 3.63 mm with statistically significant p-value of 0.043. The total average width of pedicle ranged from 19.9 to 7.43 mm with mean of 12.38 ±3.71mm (Table 4).Conclusion: The study reported significant differences in several dimensions of pedicles of typical as well as atypical lumbar vertebrae. These differences should be considered by neurosurgeons.