Dimensions of Intervertebral Discs, Bodies, and Foramina of Lumbar Vertebrae Based on Gender and Ethnicity Using Computed Tomography in North of Iran

Introduction: Physical anthropometry, which includes the measurement of human anatomical structures such as lumbar vertebrae, is generally used to evaluate and measure human body dimensions. Its morphometry branch is used to define these structures. Today, the best standard for fusion inside the spine uses pedicular screw fixation. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the three-dimensional tomography of the lumbar vertebrae based on gender and ethnicity in Gorgan, North of Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on three different ethnical populations: Native Fars, Turkmen, and Sistani, which included ۱۲۰ participants divided into three groups of ۴۰ cases (۲۰ females and ۲۰ male), in the age group of ۱۸-۴۵ years, with the average heights of ۱۶۵-۱۸۰ cm for men and ۱۶۵-۱۷۰ cm for women.  The dimensions of the intervertebral discs, bodies, and foramina of lumbar vertebrae were determined from the main axial view by coronal and sagittal reconstruction in ۱.۵ mm slices by a Computed Tomography (CT) scan. Results: Based on the findings, differences were observed in the dimensions of intervertebral discs, bodies, and foramina of lumbar vertebrae based on gender and ethnicity using CT between the two genders (P<۰.۰۵). The above dimensions were higher in men than in women. The evaluation of the height and width of the vertebral body based on ethnicity showed a difference only in the width of the L۱ lumbar vertebrae between Native Fars and Turkmen (P<۰.۰۵). Also, there were differences in the width of the foramina in the L۳, L۴, and L۵ vertebrae among the Native Fars, Turkmen, and Sistani groups.   Conclusion: The present study found that dimensions of the intervertebral discs, bodies, and foramina of lumbar vertebrae were different based on gender and ethnicity, though, in terms of the lumbar disc, the difference was only observed in the two genders.

کلیدواژه ها:

Keywords: Lumbar vertebrae ، Gender ، ethnicity ، Computed Tomography ، morphometry