The 6 Key Structures Involved in Lumbar Fusion

Lower Back Pain Structures

Lower back pain is a very complex problem with many structures of the lower back being involved. For those that have a back injury, in time that lower back injury could lead to lumbar fusion.

The lower back is made up of a number of different structures. Some of these structures include bones, muscles, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Each of these structures play a role in the function of the back, but there are some key ones that are involved in spinal fusion.

Key Lower Back Structures for Lumbar Fusion

There is a lot of anatomy to the lower back but we will focus on what is important for lumbar fusion. Looking at the key structures that you need to know about, there are boney and non-boney structures that are important.

The most important structures when it relates to lumbar fusion are: vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, spinous process, transverse process, and the pedicles of the vertebrae.

Vertebral Bodies

The vertebral bodies are the individual boney parts of the spine. In the body there are in the lower back there are 5 vertebral bodies.

Intervertebral Discs

The space between the vertebral bodies has an intervertebral disc between them. The intervertebral disc is a structure that helps shock absorbs forces that are put through the spine.

Spinous Process

The back part of the vertebral bodies is the spinous process. If you run you finger along your spine, you will fell boney bumps, these are the spinous process. They are important for attachments of the muscles and ligaments.

Transverse Process

The transverse process is a boney projection that comes off the vertebral body to the side. It plays a key role in muscle and ligament attachment.

Pedicles

The pedicles are a short projection of bone that comes off the back of the vertebral body. It is between the back of the vertebral body and the transverse process. And there are two pedicles per vertebrae, one on each side. The pedicle is very important as this ends in the surgeries for lumbar fusion because screws are placed in this area to stabilize the joint.

The lower back is a very complex structure. If your back injury has progressed to a point that you need surgery, remember the above 6 structures as they play a big role in lumbar fusion. Knowing these structures will help you better understand when your doctor explains the surgery to you or when you go out and do some research on lumbar fusion.