Trajectory architecture of the trabecular bone between the body and the neural arch in human vertebrae

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Abstract
The cancellous structure of vertebrae has been studied to investigate the direction of trabeculae and thus the lines of stress. The trabecular bone of the pedicle, connecting the body to the lamina, differed in different regions of the vertebral column. At C2 level, it was found that trabeculae are involved in transfer of the compressive forces from the superior articular surface to the inferior articular process and body. Throughout the thoracic region, trabeculae in the pedicle were inclined anteriorly towards the body, indicating that compressive forces in the thoracic spine are transferred from the neural arch to the body. In the lower lumbar region, trabeculae run from the body towards the neural arch. Trabeculae in the thoracic transverse proesses extend from the costal facet to the lamina, suggesting that weight brought by the ribs to the costotransverse articulations is transmitted to laminae through transverse processes. A major part of the research was conducted while the first author (G.P.P.) was working as visiting Associate Professor at the Medical College of pennsylvania, Philadelphia, on a fellowship granted by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (E.C.F.M.G.).