Journal of anatomy
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The main aim of this study was to provide anatomical data on the heights of the human intervertebral discs for all levels of the thoracic spine by direct and radiographic measurements. Additionally, the heights of the neighboring vertebral bodies were measured, and the prediction of the disc heights based only on the size of the vertebral bodies was investigated. The anterior (ADH), middle (MDH) and posterior heights (PDH) of the discs were measured directly and on radiographs of 72 spine segments from 30 donors (age 57.43 ± 11.27 years). ⋯ The generated set of regression equations could be used to predict thoracic disc heights from radiographic measurement of the vertebral body height posterior. For the creation of parameterized models of the human thoracic discs, the use of the prediction equations could eliminate the need for direct measurement on intervertebral discs. Moreover, the error produced by radiographic measurements could be reduced at least for the PDH.