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Thoracolumbar fascia in the lumbar region: anatomical description and topographical relationships to the cutaneous nerves: a preliminary study
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Affiliations- Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
- Youthoria, Youth Research Organization, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
- Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
- Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
- Faculty of Philology, Department of Polish Dialectology and Logopedics, University of Lodz, Poland
- Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Poland
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Abstract
Background: The study aims to determine principal topographical relations between thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and lateral branches derived from the dorsal (posterior) rami of lumbar spinal nerves and elucidate their potential link to lumbar region pain. The research protocol involves basic TLF morphological description, evaluating its relation to the nerves, and examining general histology. Materials and methods: The research was conducted on four male cadavers fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Results: The dorsal rami of the spinal nerves branched into medial and lateral divisions. The lateral divisions were about 1 mm thick and mainly visible in the subcutaneous tissue during stratigraphic dissection. They pierced the TLF superficial layer. They descended sidewards and downwards within the superficial fascia (laterally to the erector spinae muscle) to provide sensory innervation to the skin. Conclusions: Anatomical relationships between TLF, deep (intrinsic or true) back muscles, and dorsal rami of the spinal nerves are complex and may be clinically involved in low back pain etiopathogenesis.
Abstract
Background: The study aims to determine principal topographical relations between thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and lateral branches derived from the dorsal (posterior) rami of lumbar spinal nerves and elucidate their potential link to lumbar region pain. The research protocol involves basic TLF morphological description, evaluating its relation to the nerves, and examining general histology. Materials and methods: The research was conducted on four male cadavers fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Results: The dorsal rami of the spinal nerves branched into medial and lateral divisions. The lateral divisions were about 1 mm thick and mainly visible in the subcutaneous tissue during stratigraphic dissection. They pierced the TLF superficial layer. They descended sidewards and downwards within the superficial fascia (laterally to the erector spinae muscle) to provide sensory innervation to the skin. Conclusions: Anatomical relationships between TLF, deep (intrinsic or true) back muscles, and dorsal rami of the spinal nerves are complex and may be clinically involved in low back pain etiopathogenesis.
Keywords
fascia, innervation, musculoskeletal system, spinal nerves, thoracolumbar fascia, topographical anatomy
About this articleTitle
Thoracolumbar fascia in the lumbar region: anatomical description and topographical relationships to the cutaneous nerves: a preliminary study
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Published online
2023-04-20
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626
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732
DOI
Pubmed
Keywords
fascia
innervation
musculoskeletal system
spinal nerves
thoracolumbar fascia
topographical anatomy
Authors
Wojciech Przybycień
Krzysztof Balawender
Jerzy Walocha
Ewa Mizia
Michał Bonczar
Patryk Ostrowski
Michał Golberg
Anna Smędra
Edward Clarke
Andrzej Żytkowski
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