title: Thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine anatomy for endoscopic surgery.
abstract: We discuss the anatomy of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral levels of the spinal cord. Given the nature of endoscopic surgery, it is recommended that the surgeon have thorough knowledge not only of the bony architecture but also of important visceral and other soft tissue structures. It is essential to understand the normal anatomy to recognize the abnormal and anatomic variations. We present the so-called normal anatomic configurations and illustrate how these structures vary at the different levels of the spinal column.
authors.affiliation: Media Services Department, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. paitthomasg@uams.edu
authors.forename: T Glenn
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Pait
authors.forename: Alexandre J R
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tribell
mesh_terms: D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D009420:Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012447:Sacrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery