Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (4): 380-382.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2018.04.005

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Age-related changes in the configuration of the L4 lamina and facet joints of lumbar spine

WANG Zheng, LI Lun-Chao, ZHENG Shuai   

  1. Department of Orthopedic Spinal Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou 510515, China
  • Received:2018-05-11 Online:2018-07-25 Published:2018-08-21

Abstract:

Objective To explore the age-related morphologic changes of lumbar laminas and facet joints morphology. Methods Three hundred spinal disease-free people coming for physical examination in our hospital underwent lumbar X-Ray examination were included in our study. All  subjects were divided into 6 groups based on age (group I: 30 years of age, group II: 31~40 years, group III: 41~50 years, group IV: 51~60 years, group V: 61~70 years, and group VI: 70 years of age). We measured the distance of laminas waist (a) and inferior articular process (b) of lumbar 4. Then the Ratio of a/b was calculated. Results The value of a/b of group I to VI was 0.825±0.101, 0.836±0.088, 0.840±0.098, 0.858±0.084, 0.878±0.091 and 0.890±0.119 , respectively. The value of a/b in group VI was higher than other groups and statistical differences were found between group VI and other groups except group V.  Conclusion  The value of a/b gradually increases as people become older. This means value of transverse diameter of the vertebral canal becomes small and the orientation of the L4~L5 facet joints becomes more vertical with age.

Key words:  , Lumbar lamina,  Lumbar facet joint,  Lumbar spinal stenosis,  Degeneration of lumbar spine