Microsurgical anatomy of lumbosacral spinal roots

✓ A dissecting microscope study of the microsurgical anatomy of the lumbosacral spinal roots, carried out on the spinal cords of 30 adult subjects, is reported. The longitudinal extent of the medullary segment of origin of each root, and the morphological features of the root-spinal cord junction are described. Observations regarding intrathecal anastomoses between anterior and posterior roots, and shape, position, and real incidence of anastomotic rami are reported. The authors emphasize the importance of anastomotic rami when performing a rhizotomy.