Verification of roentgenographic landmarks in the lumbar spine

Using biplanar roentgenography, the three-dimensional spatial locations of various bony landmarks on the human lumbar vertebrae were calculated, and their positions compared with anatomically determined values via sectional technique. A previously described method was found to be accurate for localizing bony landmarks in space when the vertebral end-plates or superior pedicles could be seen on anteroposterior and lateral films. The experimental technique simulated in vivo conditions, suggesting that biplanar roentgenography is a useful method for study of vertebral orientation and motion in living subjects.