Abstract
Anatomic characterization and fine structure of the human ligamentum flavum (LF), especially at different spinal levels, represent an attractive focus for the scientific and surgical application. Descriptive anatomical and structural study of LF at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar levels of the vertebral column in human cadavers is carried out here. The aim of the work is to clarify the anatomical features and fine structural differences in the human LF at different vertebral levels (cervical, thoracic and lumbar). Specimens of vertebral column were obtained from 34 human preserved cadavers. Their average age ranged between 56 and 69 years. Morphometric parameters including height, width and thickness of the ligament flavum at the mid-levels of cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions were measured. Sections obtained from different levels were stained with different stains. Morphometric measurements involved the relative elastic area, relative collagen area, elastic area% and collagen area% were measured.
The results of the height, width and thickness of the LF at different spinal levels showed gradual increase in their mean values respectively. The LF midline gaps were found in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. The morphometrical measurements showed that the average elastic area was highest in the cervical region and lowest in the thoracic region. In the lumbar region, the percentages of both elastic area and the collagen area were nearly the same. The characterization of morphological and histological aspects of the LF at different spinal levels will be of great importance for applications in spinal surgery, biomechanical and physical rehabilitation of vertebral column.