Abstract / Summary
The basivertebral foramen (BVF) transmits the basivertebral neurovascular bundle and is an important anatomical landmark in spinal procedures. However, comprehensive morphometric data on the lumbar BVF remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the morphology and topography of the lumbar BVF and to determine whether morphometric parameters differ according to the number of foramina. A total of 125 adult dry lumbar vertebrae were examined. Vertebral body dimensions, BVF size, canal depth, and positional relationships to the vertebral endplates and pedicles were measured using a digital caliper. BVF number, subtype, and shape were recorded. Statistical analyses included Kruskal–Wallis tests with Dunn’s post hoc comparisons, epsilon-squared effect sizes, and Spearman correlation analyses. The mean vertical and horizontal BVF diameters were 5.74 ± 1.69 mm and 6.41 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The BVF was located closer to the superior than the inferior vertebral endplate, and the mean canal depth-to-anteroposterior diameter ratio was 0.168. A single BVF was the most common configuration (68.0%). After Holm correction, significant differences among BVF-number groups were observed for horizontal BVF diameter, laterolateral vertebral body diameter, left lateral distance, and left superior pedicle distance, with the largest effect size for horizontal BVF diameter (ε² = 0.193). The strongest correlation was between anteroposterior and laterolateral vertebral body diameters (ρ = 0.800, P < 0.001). This study provides quantitative morphometric reference data on the lumbar BVF and its spatial relationships within the vertebral body. These findings may serve as an anatomical reference for future imaging, biomechanical, anatomical, and clinical studies.