Morphometric analysis of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5): Anatomical dimensions and clinical implications in South Indian population

Q3 Medicine

Translational Research in Anatomy Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1016/j.tria.2025.100392

Nandini Bhat , Lakshmisha Rao , Ashwija Shetty , Souhardya Das , Nom Bhukya Kumar Naik , Vanishri Nayak , Sushma Prabhath , Kurian Alapatt , Suhani Sumalatha

{"title":"Morphometric analysis of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5): Anatomical dimensions and clinical implications in South Indian population","authors":"Nandini Bhat , Lakshmisha Rao , Ashwija Shetty , Souhardya Das , Nom Bhukya Kumar Naik , Vanishri Nayak , Sushma Prabhath , Kurian Alapatt , Suhani Sumalatha","doi":"10.1016/j.tria.2025.100392","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The anatomical features of L5, including its size, shape, and articulation with the sacrum, make it a crucial structure in weight transfer and spinal stability. Understanding its morphometry is vital for diagnosing and treating pathologies associated with the lumbar spine. This study aims to provide normative data on the morphological and morphometric dimensions of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) and discover its clinical implications, assisting in preoperative planning for clinicians, including radiologists and spine surgeons.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Anatomical measurements of fifty dry L5 vertebrae including dimensions of the transverse processes, articular facets, body of the vertebra, and intervertebral foramen, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlations and differences in morphometric data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><strong>Body of the vertebra:</strong> The mean anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body were 3.35 ± 0.41 cm and 4.74 ± 1.39 cm (superior) and 3.33 ± 0.68 cm and 3.78 ± 1.72 cm (inferior), respectively. Significant differences were noted in the transverse diameter between the superior and inferior surfaces. <strong>Articular Facets:</strong> The superior articular facets were predominantly quadrilateral (46 %), followed by pyramidal (30 %). The inferior facets were most commonly circular (48 %). Significant differences were observed in the distance from the spinous process to the inferior articular facets. <strong>Intervertebral Foramen:</strong> The anteroposterior length of the intervertebral notch on the right and left sides was significantly variable. <strong>Transverse Processes:</strong> The mean distance between the tips of the right and left transverse processes was 7.92 ± 0.92 cm. Weak positive correlations were observed between the distance from the spinous process to the transverse processes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study provides comprehensive morphometric data on the fifth lumbar vertebra, emphasizing important anatomical dimensions that are vital for understanding spinal health and guiding clinical interventions. These findings will aid in the preoperative planning for spine surgeries and the management of lumbar spine disorders. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to validate and expand these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37913,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research in Anatomy","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100392"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Translational Research in Anatomy","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000111","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The anatomical features of L5, including its size, shape, and articulation with the sacrum, make it a crucial structure in weight transfer and spinal stability. Understanding its morphometry is vital for diagnosing and treating pathologies associated with the lumbar spine. This study aims to provide normative data on the morphological and morphometric dimensions of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) and discover its clinical implications, assisting in preoperative planning for clinicians, including radiologists and spine surgeons.

Methods

Anatomical measurements of fifty dry L5 vertebrae including dimensions of the transverse processes, articular facets, body of the vertebra, and intervertebral foramen, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlations and differences in morphometric data.

Results

Body of the vertebra: The mean anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body were 3.35 ± 0.41 cm and 4.74 ± 1.39 cm (superior) and 3.33 ± 0.68 cm and 3.78 ± 1.72 cm (inferior), respectively. Significant differences were noted in the transverse diameter between the superior and inferior surfaces. Articular Facets: The superior articular facets were predominantly quadrilateral (46 %), followed by pyramidal (30 %). The inferior facets were most commonly circular (48 %). Significant differences were observed in the distance from the spinous process to the inferior articular facets. Intervertebral Foramen: The anteroposterior length of the intervertebral notch on the right and left sides was significantly variable. Transverse Processes: The mean distance between the tips of the right and left transverse processes was 7.92 ± 0.92 cm. Weak positive correlations were observed between the distance from the spinous process to the transverse processes.

Conclusion

The study provides comprehensive morphometric data on the fifth lumbar vertebra, emphasizing important anatomical dimensions that are vital for understanding spinal health and guiding clinical interventions. These findings will aid in the preoperative planning for spine surgeries and the management of lumbar spine disorders. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to validate and expand these findings.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Translational Research in Anatomy Medicine-Anatomy

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

25 days

期刊介绍： Translational Research in Anatomy is an international peer-reviewed and open access journal that publishes high-quality original papers. Focusing on translational research, the journal aims to disseminate the knowledge that is gained in the basic science of anatomy and to apply it to the diagnosis and treatment of human pathology in order to improve individual patient well-being. Topics published in Translational Research in Anatomy include anatomy in all of its aspects, especially those that have application to other scientific disciplines including the health sciences: • gross anatomy • neuroanatomy • histology • immunohistochemistry • comparative anatomy • embryology • molecular biology • microscopic anatomy • forensics • imaging/radiology • medical education Priority will be given to studies that clearly articulate their relevance to the broader aspects of anatomy and how they can impact patient care.Strengthening the ties between morphological research and medicine will foster collaboration between anatomists and physicians. Therefore, Translational Research in Anatomy will serve as a platform for communication and understanding between the disciplines of anatomy and medicine and will aid in the dissemination of anatomical research. The journal accepts the following article types: 1. Review articles 2. Original research papers 3. New state-of-the-art methods of research in the field of anatomy including imaging, dissection methods, medical devices and quantitation 4. Education papers (teaching technologies/methods in medical education in anatomy) 5. Commentaries 6. Letters to the Editor 7. Selected conference papers 8. Case Reports