Sagittal evaluation of elemental geometrical dimensions of human vertebrae

Geometrical configuration and dimensions of the human vertebra were investigated using radiographs of 157 normal healthy adult men. Measurements were based on five bony reference points, which can be defined in radiography, The measurements permit the determination of nine dimensions that can be used for anthropometrical evaluation of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. A simplified model of the vertebra in the sagittal plane is presented and serves as a basis for the geometrical measurements. In the cervical region, average width exceeded average height of vertebral bodies C₃ to C₇, while in C₂ the average width was smaller than the average height; C₇ was the longest and C₃ the shortest cervical vertebra. In the lumbar region, average width exceeded average height of the vertebral bodies. Values for width and height did not differ significantly from L₁ to L₅; L₃ was the longest and L₅ the shortest lumbar vertebra.