Mineral Analysis of the Fourth Lumbar Vertebra in Health and Renal Failure*

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Abstract
There was a rise in the Ca, P, and N content of the fourth lumbar vertebra of man when renal failure had persisted for a sufficient length of time. These findings are compatible with an overall increase in bone mineral content which varyed in degree from one site to another depending on turnover rates in different bones, duration and severity of renal failure and the addition of osteitis-fibrosis or osteomalacia or both. After 3 mo. of renal failure, the proportion of P in the vertebra increased, possibly reflecting the higher serum P at the time of bone formation.