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Development of the lumbar and sacral vertebral canal in utero. 1996

T R Ursu, and R W Porter, and V Navaratnam
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

METHODS This study analyzed the development of the lumosacral vertebral canal and dural sac in human fetus. A collection of fetuses and embryos was used to assess the development of different parameters of the spinal canal. OBJECTIVE The data were analyzed for the dynamics of the development and also compared with mean adult spinal parameters. BACKGROUND Transversely sectioned specimens and nonsectioned specimens free of abnormalities were selected from the Boyd Collection of human embryos and fetuses. METHODS The sections were photographed alongside a micrometric scale, and the nonsectioned specimens were scanned by magnetic resonance imaging. The films were computer analyzed for spinal and dural parameters. The error of the measurements was assessed. RESULTS The most rapid growth period of the spinal canal parameters is between 18-36 weeks' gestation. After 30 weeks of intrauterine life, the upper lumbar canal grows faster than the lower lumbar region. The distal end of the dural sac begins to rise from S5 after 14 weeks. CONCLUSIONS At the end of intrauterine growth, the interpedicular diameter of the spinal canal from L1 to L4 is 70% of the adult size, however, at L5, the canal is only 50% mature at birth. Therefore, if there is growth impairment in early infancy, the upper lumbar region is partially protected in contrast with the L5 level.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008159 Lumbar Vertebrae VERTEBRAE in the region of the lower BACK below the THORACIC VERTEBRAE and above the SACRAL VERTEBRAE. Vertebrae, Lumbar
D004388 Dura Mater The outermost of the three MENINGES, a fibrous membrane of connective tissue that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Falx Cerebelli,Falx Cerebri,Pachymeninx,Tentorium Cerebelli
D004824 Epidural Space Space between the dura mater and the walls of the vertebral canal. Epidural Spaces,Space, Epidural,Spaces, Epidural
D005865 Gestational Age The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination. Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000367 Age Factors Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time. Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age
D012447 Sacrum Five fused VERTEBRAE forming a triangle-shaped structure at the back of the PELVIS. It articulates superiorly with the LUMBAR VERTEBRAE, inferiorly with the COCCYX, and anteriorly with the ILIUM of the PELVIS. The sacrum strengthens and stabilizes the PELVIS. Sacra,Sacral Vertebra,Sacral Vertebrae,Sacrums,Vertebra, Sacral,Vertebrae, Sacral
D013115 Spinal Canal The cavity within the SPINAL COLUMN through which the SPINAL CORD passes. Vertebral Canal,Vertebral Foramen,Vertebral Foramina,Canal, Spinal,Canal, Vertebral,Foramen, Vertebral,Foramina, Vertebral,Spinal Canals,Vertebral Canals,Vertebral Foramens

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