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Vol 80, No 2 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2020-05-08
Accepted: 2020-05-26
Published online: 2020-06-03
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Case series and a systematic review concerning the level of the aortic bifurcation

E. Panagouli1, I. Antonopoulos1, G. Tsoucalas2, D. Chrysikos1, A. Samolis1, V. Protogerou1, D. Venieratos1, T. Troupis1
DOI: 10.5603/FM.a2020.0064
·
Pubmed: 32488853
·
Folia Morphol 2021;80(2):302-309.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
  2. Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

open access

Vol 80, No 2 (2021)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2020-05-08
Accepted: 2020-05-26
Published online: 2020-06-03

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to present the level of aortic bifurcation in a sample of Greek origin (case series) and to perform an up-to-date systematic review in the existing literature. Materials and methods: Seventy-six formalin-fixed adult cadavers were dissected and studied in order to research the level of aortic bifurcation. Additionally, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for eligible articles concerning the level of aortic bifurcation for the period up to February 2020. Results: The mean level of aortic bifurcation according to our case series was the lower third of the L4 vertebral body (21/76, 27.6%). The level of aortic bifurcation ranged between the lower third of the L3 vertebral body and the lower third of the L5 body. No statistically significant correlation was found between the two sexes. The systematic review of the literature revealed 31 articles which were considered eligible and a total number of 3537 specimens were retracted. According to the recorded findings the most common mean level of aortic bifurcation was the body of L4 vertebra (1495/3537 cases, 42.2%), while the range of aortic bifurcation was described to occur from upper third of L3 vertebrae to the upper third of the S1 vertebrae in the 52.8% of the cases (1866/3537). Conclusions: The mean level of AA corresponds to the body of L4 and presents a great range (form L3U to S1U). Knowledge of the mean level of aortic bifurcation and its probable ranges is of great significance for interventional radiologists and especially vascular surgeons that deal with aneurism proximal to the aortic bifurcation.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to present the level of aortic bifurcation in a sample of Greek origin (case series) and to perform an up-to-date systematic review in the existing literature. Materials and methods: Seventy-six formalin-fixed adult cadavers were dissected and studied in order to research the level of aortic bifurcation. Additionally, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for eligible articles concerning the level of aortic bifurcation for the period up to February 2020. Results: The mean level of aortic bifurcation according to our case series was the lower third of the L4 vertebral body (21/76, 27.6%). The level of aortic bifurcation ranged between the lower third of the L3 vertebral body and the lower third of the L5 body. No statistically significant correlation was found between the two sexes. The systematic review of the literature revealed 31 articles which were considered eligible and a total number of 3537 specimens were retracted. According to the recorded findings the most common mean level of aortic bifurcation was the body of L4 vertebra (1495/3537 cases, 42.2%), while the range of aortic bifurcation was described to occur from upper third of L3 vertebrae to the upper third of the S1 vertebrae in the 52.8% of the cases (1866/3537). Conclusions: The mean level of AA corresponds to the body of L4 and presents a great range (form L3U to S1U). Knowledge of the mean level of aortic bifurcation and its probable ranges is of great significance for interventional radiologists and especially vascular surgeons that deal with aneurism proximal to the aortic bifurcation.

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Keywords

aorta, intervertebral discs, lumbar vertebra, bifurcation, anatomy

About this article
Title

Case series and a systematic review concerning the level of the aortic bifurcation

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 80, No 2 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

302-309

Published online

2020-06-03

Page views

1123

Article views/downloads

1158

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2020.0064

Pubmed

32488853

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2021;80(2):302-309.

Keywords

aorta
intervertebral discs
lumbar vertebra
bifurcation
anatomy

Authors

E. Panagouli
I. Antonopoulos
G. Tsoucalas
D. Chrysikos
A. Samolis
V. Protogerou
D. Venieratos
T. Troupis

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