Normal Anatomy of the Lumbar Sublaminar Ridge in the Lateral Recess with Potential Implications to Surgical Technique in Degenerative Spinal Stenosis

A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Study Design. 

This is an anatomic study using cadaveric material.

Objective. 

To provide anatomic descriptions of the normal lumbar sublaminar ridge in the lateral recess and its potential to impact on the exiting nerve root there, with implications to surgical technique in lumbar spinal stenosis.

Summary of Background Data. 

The lateral extent of the sublaminar ridge—the bony, superior insertion site of the ligamenta flava—and its topological relationship to the nerve root are not described in the literature. In the setting of degenerative lumbar stenosis this structure can hypertrophy and impinge the nerve root within the lateral recess even after excision of the corresponding ligamentum flavum. Failure to address this may contribute to failed lateral recess decompression.

Methods. 

Fifteen lumbar vertebrae, not obviously degenerated, were resected en bloc from three fixed adult human cadavers and then transected through the pedicles, leaving the posterior column and neural elements intact and articulated. The shape of the sublaminar ridge in the lateral recess and its relationship to the exiting nerve root were carefully examined.

Results. 

The exiting nerve root consistently crosses the sublami- nar ridge immediately inferior to the mid-pedicle, lateral to the subarticular gutter, and on the medial aspect of the true intervertebral foramen. A hypertrophic ridge can compress the exiting root by elevating the nerve root superiorly against the bony underside of the pedicle or displacing it anteriorly against the disc or vertebral body.

Conclusion. 

The sublaminar ridge in the lateral recess may contribute to degenerative lumbar stenosis. Comprehensive appreciation of this anatomy may facilitate thorough lateral recess decompression.

Level of Evidence: 4

In Brief

The anatomy of the normal lumbar sublaminar ridge in the lateral recess is not previously described in the literature. From cadaver dissection of thirty lumbar lateral recesses we describe this anatomy with potential implications to technique in lumbar stenosis decompression.