The observation of the lumbar intervertebral foramina ligaments in infants and its significance

Objective: To study the physiological significance of the lumbar intervertebral foramina ligaments in infants. Methods: The lumbar intervertebral foramina ligaments were injected and observed on 11 cases of the full-term infant cadavers. The related data were measured with vernier caliper. Results: The width, thickness and length of the inferior transforaminal ligaments in L1, L2 and L3 were: L1: 1.4±0.4 mm, 0.4±0.2 mm, 2.8±0.5 mm; L2: 1.3±0.4 mm, 0.4±0.2 mm, 2.8±0.5 mm; L3: 1.6±0.1 mm, 0.4±0.1 mm, 2.8±0.9 mm respectively. The width, thickness and length of the inferior corporotransverse ligaments in L3,L4 and L5 were:L3: 2.1±0.4 mm, 0.6±0.1 mm, 4.5±1.2 mm; L4: 2.0±1.2 mm, 0.4±0.2 mm, 5.7±0.8 mm; L5: 2.4±0.8 mm, 0.4±0.2 mm, 5.0±1.0 mm respectively. Conclusions: The lumbar intervertebral foramina ligaments are the normal components of the intervertebral foramen in infants.