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Anatomical variations of lumbar arteries and their clinical implications: a cadaveric study

Aranjan Lionel Karunanayake1, Arunasalam Pathmeswaran2

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, 0094 11 Ragama, Sri Lanka.

ISRN Anatomy
|May 5, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals significant variations in lumbar artery anatomy, with numbers ranging from 3 to 5 pairs. Understanding these lumbar vasculature variations is crucial for preventing surgical complications.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Lumbar arteries originate from the abdominal aorta.
  • Damage to lumbar arteries during abdominal or spinal surgery can have severe outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the types and frequencies of variations in human lumbar vasculature.
  • To provide anatomical data relevant to surgical safety.

Main Methods:

  • Dissection of lumbar vasculature in 109 adult human cadavers (43-90 years old).
  • Analysis of variations in the number, origin, and pathway of lumbar arteries.

Main Results:

  • The number of lumbar arteries per side varied from 3 to 5 pairs.
  • Common origins from a single stem were observed in 12% of cases.
  • Specific variations in the origin and pathway of the first, second, third, and fourth lumbar artery pairs were documented.

Conclusions:

  • Significant anatomical variations in lumbar arteries exist.
  • These findings highlight the importance of detailed anatomical knowledge for surgeons.
  • Awareness of these variations can help mitigate risks during abdominal and spinal procedures.

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