In normal uninjured spinal bones this cylindrical shape varies a bit depending upon whether its located in the cervical which corresponds to the neck thoracic corresponding to the mid andor upper back or lumbar aka low back areas of the spinethe same is also true of the other parts of the vertebra. The vertebrae are the bones which make up the spinal column in humans and other vertebratesthe human body has 33 vertebrae 24 of which make up the spinethe vertebral body is the largest part of each vertebra. The vertebral body is generally shaped like a short cylinder. Because the variations in measurement values in japanese were not significant in comparison with those in european and american persons means minus 3 sd were almost the same as means minus 25 designated in japan with respect to the ratio of anterior to posterior margin heights of vertebral bodies. For example the. The average circumference of the lower endplate of the fourth lumbar vertebra was 141 mm and the average surface area was 1492 mm2.
Anterior middle and posterior vertebral body heights of all segments from t4 to l4 were measured interactively using mxa software and qm from the spinal radiographs and compared with direct measurements derived using digital callipers following cadaveric dissection. Along the length of the spine the vertebrae change to accommodate different needs related to stress and mobility. It is a thick bony structure which provides strength to the spine and protection for the spinal cord. A compression fracture usually heals in eight to ten weeks. In the measurement of vertebral body heights the accuracy decreased at vertebral levels where the images of thoracic vertebral bodies are superimposed upon by the shadows of cardiovascular organs. An increasing pedicle width from a mean of 96 22 mm at l3 through to 162 28 mm at l5 was noted.
The size of the vertebral bodies increases down the spine as the size and weight of the body it has to support above it increase. In the human vertebral column the size of the vertebrae varies according to placement in the vertebral column spinal loading posture and pathology. Hamed reihani kermani zeynab soroush effect of long term axial spinal unloading on vertebral body height in adult thoracolumbar spine european spine journal 101007s00586 008 0669 y 17 7 965 969 2008. The vertebral body is the large anterior cylindrical portion that is predominantly responsible for bearing the weight of the spine and body above it.