Cryomicrotomy of the lumbar spine.

To investigate the pathogenesis of lumbar canal stenosis, a morphologic study was carried out by cryomicrotomy using 10 fresh lumbar spine specimens from the 3rd lumbar vertebra to the 1st sacral vertebra. The cryomicrotomy findings confirmed that anatomical relations were clearly demonstrated between dura, nerve root, osseous structure, disc and ligamentum flavum in frontal, sagittal, and transverse section. Furthermore, in sagittal section specimens, thickness of ligamentum flavum varies from extension to flexion. These conditions play a dynamic factor in the pathogenesis of spinal canal stenosis.