Study on incidence of sacralisation of fifth lumbar vertebra in South Indian population

Abstract

The lumbosacral region is of interest because of increased incidence of low back pain resulting from stress and strain. The lumbosacral spine supports and transmits weight of the body to the inferior extremity and thus plays an important role in posture. In lumbosacral transitional vertebra either the fifth lumbar vertebra may show assimilation to sacrum (sacralisation) or the first lumbar vertebra may show transition to lumbar configuration (lumbarisation). Due to the association between lumbosacral vertebral anomalies with low back pain, early disc degeneration in young individuals and other spinal pathology, the present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, Chennai, India. Sacral bones were observed for sacral cornua, sacral hiatus and variations like sacralisation of fifth lumbar vertebra. Sacralisation was observed in three bones, complete in one and incomplete in two bones. The possible origin of the anomaly and its relevance to clinics are discussed.