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Vertebral Body Size and Shape: A Clue to Underlying Systemic Disease

Normal Vertebral Body Vertebral body size and shape vary with age. In the newborn, the vertebral body ossification center (centrum) is ovoid on the lateral radiograph, and the height of the centrum equals the height of the intervertebral disc (Figure 1[1]). Also in the newborn, there are central indentations, both anteriorly and posteriorly, that represent vascular channels. By the age of 2 to 3 years, the vertebral body has become rectangular, a shape it retains throughout life (Figure 1[4]). The anteroposterior dimension of the vertebral body is greater than the vertebral body height, and the vertebral body height is greater than the intervertebral disc height.2 Between ages 6 and 8 years, step-like recesses are noted on the superior and inferior vertebral body margins. These recesses are formed by the outer annular rim of cartilage (ring apophysis), which normally has not ossified at this age. They are more noticeable anteriorly on the lateral radiograph (Figure 1[2]). These anterior indentations disappear radiographically as the annular cartilage rim calcifies, a development that is seen somewhat later in males than in females (Figure 1[3]). Between 17 and 22 years of age, these annular calcifications coalesce, ossify, and fuse with the vertebral body. High Vertebral Body Pressure parallel to the axis of bone growth inhibits the rate of growth, whereas decreased pressure allows growth of bone to proceed.2 A child who is unable to stand erect during the years of vertebral growth does not stress the vertebrae along the axis of growth, and this leads to an Vertebral Body Size and Shape: A Clue to Underlying Systemic Disease