Int J Anat Res 2018, 6(1.2):4951-58. ISSN 2321-4287 4951 Original Research Article LUMBOSACRAL TRANSITIONAL VERTEBRAE- AN OSTEOLOGICAL STUDY IN DRY HUMAN SACRA OF NORTH INDIAN ORIGIN WITH ITS CLINICAL AND FORENSIC IMPLICATIONS Apurba Patra 1 , Harsimarjit Kaur * 2 , Manjeet Singh 3 , Subhas Kaushal 4 , Usha Chhabra 4 , Vishal Malhotra 5 . ABSTRACT Address for Correspondence: Dr. Harsimarjit Kaur, Associate Professor, Department Of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala-147001, India. Phone No: +91-8146548181 E-Mail: anatomygmcpatiala@gmail.com Context: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are congenital anomalies that occur due to defect in normal segmentation of the lumbosacral spine during development. This may be either in the form of assimilation of fifth lumbar vertebra with the sacrum (sacralisation), or transition of the first piece of sacral vertebra into the lumbar configuration (lumbarisation). Aims and Objectives: Although presence of LSTV is common in general population but knowledge about its exact clinical implications is still lacking. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the rate of incidence of transitional vertebra and their sex difference (if present) in dried human sacra. Secondary aim was to study these transitional vertebra in detail and correlate these findings clinically. Materials and Methods: A total of fifty unbroken adult sacra were examined (male to female ratio of 3:2). The presence or absence of a lumbar transitional vertebra was noted and classified as incomplete or complete. The sacral indices (SI) of all sacra were measured and values compared between typical and atypical sacra with LSTV as well as between male and female sacra. Results: Out of fifty sacra, six sacra (12%) showed presence of LSTV. Among them, four (8%) showed sacralisation of the fifth lumbar vertebra and two (4%) showed lumbarisation of first sacral vertebra. Among the four sacra showing sacralisation, two showed incomplete fusion and two showed complete fusion of fifth lumber vertebra with sacrum. LSTV was found to be more common in male than female. Sacralisation was seen only in male sacra while lumbarisation only in female sacra. The difference in the mean SI of typical sacra (97.76±4.08) and sacra with LSTV (83.69±2.38 and 98.11±1.52 for sacralised and lumbarised sacra respectively) was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) and that between the male (94.55±5.70) and female (100.14±3.42) sacra was found to be highly significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: Presence of LSTV has many clinical and forensic implications and its knowledge is important for orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, forensic experts and also to radiologists. KEY WORDS: lumbarisation, sacralisation, congenital anomaly, low back pain, Sacral index. International Journal of Anatomy and Research, Int J Anat Res 2018, Vol 6(1.2):4951-58. ISSN 2321-4287 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.522 Access this Article online Quick Response code International Journal of Anatomy and Research ISSN (E) 2321-4287 | ISSN (P) 2321-8967 https://www.ijmhr.org/ijar.htm DOI-Prefix: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.522 1 Senior Resident, Department Of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala India. *2 Associate Professor, Department Of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, India. 3 Professor and HOD, Department Of Orthopaedics, MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala India. 4 Professor, Department Of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, India. 5 Senior Resident, Department Of SPM, Government Medical College, Patiala India. Received: 07 Dec 2017 Peer Review: 08 Dec 2017 Revised: None Accepted: 02 Jan 2018 Published (O): 05 Feb 2018 Published (P): 05 Feb 2018 Journal Information ICV for 2016 90.30 Article Information