For the evaluation of the Lumbar pedicle morphometry and its relation to the neural structures, 14 male adult cadavers were dissected, and the size of the lumbar pedicle was assessed by measuring its sagittal and transversal diameter. It was found that the size of the pedicle increases from L2 to L5, both in the sagittal and transversal diameter, the first bigger. The relation of the lumbar pedicle to the neural structures was evaluated by measuring the distance between dura-mater and the pedicle medial area, the distance between the most distal area of the pedicle and the nerve root that appears under it, and , to obtain in an indirect way, the distance between the pedicle apex and the nerve root that appears over it. The acquired results showed that the distance between the most distal area of the pedicle and the nerve root that appears under it, and the distance between the pedicle medial area and dura-mater, do not increase from L2 to L5, and they are in average 1,98 and 3,02 respectively. The distance between the pedicle apex and the nerve root that appears over it, increases from L2 to L5, varying from 13,64 in L2 to 21,62 in L5. The location of the spinal ganglion in relation to the pedicle has also been found, and 87% of the spinal ganglions are located in the foraminal zone.
Anatomy; lumbar spine; nerve root; pedicular screw placement
