Kinetic study of the lumbar vertebrae and the lumbosacral passage in German shepherd dogs. 1. Functional anatomy and kinetic foundation]

In the dog congenital or acquired stenosis of the lumbosacral region is commonly encountered. In humans the lumbosacral junction is the most often affected part of the vertebral column. Lumbosacral instability, one possible etiology for stenosis of the vertebral canal plays an important role in man. This study summarizes the functional anatomy and some important geometric and kinematic considerations necessary for the understanding of the motion (flexion-extension) between two adjacent vertebra.