The anatomical characteristics of spina lamina vertebrae inferior and its clinical significance

Objective: To observe the occurrence rate and morphological characteristics of spina lamina vertebrae inferior (SLVI), study the relationship between SLVI and ossification of ligamentum flavum, and provide morphological basis for clinical application. Methods: The type of SLVI was observed, the length, width, thickness were measured on 82 sets of dried adult vertebrae and 12 samples of spinal column. Results: SLVI was found in vertebra C7~L5, T8~12 was the higher, but highest ocurrence rate was found in T10 which was up to 80.5%. From symmetry we found that statistical significance occurred on two sides and sexuality, as well superior and inferior segment(P0.01). T9~12 region was the highest for length and width, while the highest value concerned with T10 were (4.1±2.1)mm and(4.4±2.3)mm respectively. Conclusions: The occurrence rate of SLVI is higher and the shape is bigger, which show peak tendency up to T10. The occurrence rate of female was more than male and the left side was more than the right. The forming reason of SLVI may be interrelated with the moving degree of zygapophysieal joint and ossification of the ligamentum flavum.