J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1975 Oct;4(2):227-232.

Radiological Study of the Transverse Processes of the Lumbar Spine

• Suck JS
• Kim JH
• Kim HJ
• Chae J
• Sim BS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the statistics of length and obliquity of the transverse processes, transitional vertebra, spina bifida and lumbar rib in the lumbar spine A-P films of 500 cases by random sample. The length of the transverse process was compared with the shortest distance of from the outmost point of it to the vertical line which was given at the spinous process of the corresponding vertebral body. The obliquity of the transverse process was represented by angle shaped by the central vertical line of the vertebral body and the central line of its transverse process. Transitional vertebra were identified by counting down from the C1 or T1 vertebral body. No difficulty was encountered in distinguishing spina bifida and lumbar rib. The results were as follows: 1. In the typical lumbar spine, the length of the L3 transverse process was the longest of all the transverse processes except for that of L5 and the direction of the transverse process was horizontal in the L1, L2 and L3 but a little oblique upward in the L4 and L5. 2. Lumbarization was slightly higher than sacralization in incidence. 3. The incidence of spina bifida was 11.8% and mainly observed in male. 4. The incidence of lumbar rib was 1.8% and all were attached to the L1.

MeSH Terms

Humans
Incidence
Male
Ribs
Spinal Dysraphism
Spine*