Anatomy of the lumbar spine

Introduction Methods of sectioning 266 autopsy spines Section 1: Normal Anatomy 1 Structure and function 2 Disc: its part and their functions 3 Facets: structure and function 4 Nerves: In spinal canal and intervertebral foramen 5 Muscles and Movement Section 2: Age changes 1 Osteoporosis: effects on vertebrae and on disc shape 2 Degenerative changes in discs 3 Disc fissuring and disc protrusion 4 Decline in ranges of movement with increase in age 5 Increase creep with age 6 Facet changes: arthritic changes; remodeling 7 Spinal stenosis and nerve impingement 8 Severe disc changes and segmental instability 9 Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis 10 Facet joint fat pads: their increase in early instability Section 3: Injuries 1 Thoracic and lumbar injuries contrast with cervical injuries 2 Vertebral end-plate fracture and collapse 3 Facet joint injuries: which are often occult. Section 4: Lower Back Pain and Radicular Pain 1 The lumbar spine and cancer metastases.