Author(s)

E. Tanaka, K. Imaki, M. Momondori, S. Murakami, H. Inoue & K. Ohmori

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the elucidation of spondylolysis observed in the fifth and fourth lumbar vertebrae. For this purpose, two types of three- dimensional finite element analyses were performed; the analyses of a single vertebra, and those of a system of vertebrae, intervertebral disks and ligaments. The results of the first analyses show that the stress concentrations in the fifth lumbar vertebra are more significant than those in the fourth lumbar vertebra. The second analyses, on the other hand, demonstrated that the tension forces caused by the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments as well as the contact forces in the zygapophysial joints influenced the stress concentrations i

Keywords