| dc.description | Normal values of lumbar vertebral canal diameters are useful in facilitating diagnosis of lumbar vertebral canal stenosis. Various studies have established variation on values between different populations, gender, age, and ethnic groups. The aim of the study was to determine the lumbar vertebral canal diameters in adult skeletons according to gender, ethnicity, age group and vertebral levels at the Galloway osteological collection. A descriptive cross-section study was carried out during the study period. The midsagittal, transverse diameters of the lumbar vertebral canal as well as the anteroposterior diameter of the lumbar vertebral body and anteroposterior diameter of the inferior vertebral notch were measured using an electronic digital caliper. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS 12.0 computer program. A sample size of 216 complete sets of male and female human lumbar vertebral bones was studied. In both genders, the midsagittaI diameter of the canal was wider at the cephalic than at caudal end. A steady widening of the transverse diameter of the canal from L1 to L5 was also observed in both genders. The anteroposterior diameters of the inferior vertebral notch are subject to gender and ethnic variation. The spinal index confirmed that the lumbar canal is more capacious at L1 than at lower levels in both genders; reflecting the size of the contents at this level and also an adaptation to ensure protection of these contents during complex movements of this transition region. The narrowest midsagittal diameter is found at L3 in both genders, the widest transverse diameter on the other hand was at L5. Various diameters of the lumbar vertebral canal varied according to gender, age groups and ethnicity. Lumbar vertebral canal diameters for Ugandan population differ from lumbar vertebral canal diameters of other populations like Nigerians. | |
