Study of the morphometric variations of the neural arch in the lumbar vertebrae in adult human skeleton of North Indian population

Abstract

Measurement of human vertebral geometry is important for accurate surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to measure the neural ach shape from L1 to L5. All Lumbar dry vertebrae (N = 150) of 30 individuals is measured and analyzed by gender. A Digital Vernier Caliper is used to measure the dimensions of the spinous (SP) and transverse (TP) processes, vertebral canal (VC), laminae, and isthmus. Most of the parameters are greater in males. Isthmus length decreases from L1 to L5 vertebrae in males with left side length greater than that of right in the lumbar region. In lumbar vertebrae transverse process length is increasing from L1 (17.83 mm) to L3 (22.58 mm) then decreasing till L5 (18.70 mm) with right side length more than the left side at L1 to L5. Vertebral Superior Canal Width (VSCW) is increasing more than Vertebral Superior Canal length (VSCL) in lumbar vertebrae. The difference of width and length is increasing from L1 (5.65 mm) to L5 (9.28 mm). The shape of vertebral canal is oval in lumbar vertebrae. In conclusion, the neural arch is systematically asymmetrical and dynamic in shape along the lumbar spine.