The vertebral canal: I. Nutrition and development, an archaeological study

The lumbar vertebral canal was measured in adult spines from two archaeological populations, and was compared with four physiological stress indicators, (cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, dental hypoplasia and Harris lines). The stature of 38 juvenile skeletons and their canal size were compared with those of the adults. By 4 years of age the midsagittal diameter and the area of the vertebral canal was fully mature and the mean interpedicular diameter 87% of adult size. There was a differential pattern of growth, with the proximal spine maturing first. The trefoil shape was not seen at L5 before puberty. Dental hypoplasia correlated with a small interpedicular diameter at L1, L2 and L3, and Harris lines with a small midsagittal diameter at L1, L3 and L5, a small area at L5 and a more trefoil canal at L4 and L5. There is evidence that adverse environmental factors are associated with the development of spinal stenosis.