Anatomic analysis of the transforaminal ligament in the lumbar intervertebral foramen.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the transforaminal ligaments (TFLs) in relation to the area of the lumbar intervertebral foramen (IVF) by analyzing cadaveric spines.


METHODS
One hundred ninety-eight cadaveric lumbar IVFs were studied, and the existence and type of TFLs were identified. All IVFs were photographed, and the images were saved. The areas of the IVFs and TFLs were measured with the Scion Image for Windows image analysis program.


RESULTS
TFLs were found in 82.8% of the IVFs. The oblique inferior transforaminal ligament was the most common. The mean area of the IVFs was 155.8 +/- 51.1 mm2, and the mean area occupied by the TFLs was 46.3 +/- 37.6 mm2. The mean percentage of the IVF area occupied by the TFLs was 28.5 +/- 18.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
TFLs are common structures in the IVF and may reduce the space available for the spinal nerve root within the IVF. In this circumstance, any compromise of the IVF may impinge on the nerve root.
Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Jun-Hong
JH
Min
Shin-Hyuk
SH
Kang
Jang-Bo
JB
Lee
Tai-Hyoung
TH
Cho
Jung-Guen
JG
Suh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*