Morphometric Study of the Lumbar Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Morphometric data for the lumbar posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) was investigated to identify whether there is a difference in the morphometry of the PLL of the lumbar spine at each level with respect to the pattern of intervertebral disc displacement. METHODS: In 14 formalin-fixed adult cadavers (12 males and 2 females), from L1 to L5, the authors measured the width and height of the PLL and compared them with other landmarks such as the disc and the pedicle. RESULTS: Horizontally, at the upper margin of the disc, the central portion of the superficial PLL covered 17.8–36.9% of the disc width and the fan-like portion of the PLL covered 63.9–76.7% of the disc width. At the level of the median portion of the disc, the PLL covered 69.1–74.5% of the disc width. Vertically, at the level of the medial margin of the pedicle, the fan-like portion of the PLL covered 23.5–29.9% of the disc height. In general, a significant difference in length was not found in the right-left and male-female comparisons. CONCLUSION: This study presents the morphometric data on the pattern of intervertebral disc displacement and helps to improve the knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the lumbar PLL.