Anatomical Study of the Positional Relationships Between Lumbar Arteries and Adjacent Structures in Adult Vietnamese Cadavers

Résumé

Background/Objectives: The lumbar arteries play a crucial role in the vascularization of the posterior abdominal wall, lumbar spine, and surrounding musculature. Understanding their anatomical relationships with adjacent structures is essential for various surgical procedures, including spinal, vascular, and reconstructive interventions. However, previous studies have primarily focused on non-Vietnamese populations, leaving a gap in region-specific anatomical data. This study aims to investigate the positional relationships of lumbar arteries with the diaphragmatic crura, psoas major muscle, lumbar sympathetic trunk, vertebral borders, and major vascular landmarks in adult Vietnamese cadavers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 23 Vietnamese embalmed cadavers, resulting in a total of 46 dissected specimens. Standardized anatomical dissection techniques were used to expose and document the lumbar arteries’ origin, course, segmental distribution, and spatial relationships with adjacent anatomical structures. Measurements were taken using digital calipers and micrometers, and data were statistically analyzed using STATA 18.0. Results: The study revealed distinct anatomical patterns in the relationship between lumbar arteries and surrounding structures. Most L1 and L2 arteries were positioned posterior to the diaphragmatic crura, while L3 and L4 showed minimal association. All lumbar arteries passed posterior to the psoas major muscle and lumbar sympathetic trunk. The segmental distribution analysis indicated that L3 and L4 arteries predominantly originated in the upper third of the vertebrae. The spatial mapping of lumbar arteries in relation to major vascular landmarks demonstrated progressive changes in distance from the superior mesenteric artery, renal arteries, inferior mesenteric artery, aortic bifurcation, and sacral promontory across different lumbar levels. Lateral variations were noted but not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study provides a detailed anatomical mapping of the lumbar arteries in adult Vietnamese cadavers, offering critical reference data for surgical applications. The findings contribute to reducing vascular injury risks in spinal and vascular surgeries and aid in the design of stent grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, potentially preventing spinal cord ischemia and post- intervention complications. DOI: 10.59715/pntjmp.4.2.12