Objective:

To analyze the morphological characteristics of the lumbar 4 (L4)- Sacral 1 (S1) endplates in young Chinese adults using 3D CT scans, providing a reference for the design and application of intervertebral fusion devices.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Sagittal plane morphology: 20.6% uniformly concave, 32.7% asymmetric concave, 12.1% flat-bottomed concave, 34.5% flat endplate (no significant differences between sexes, p > 0.05).
• Coronal plane morphology: 32.1% uniformly concave, 0.6% asymmetric concave, 52.7% flat-bottomed concave, 14.5% flat endplate (no significant differences between sexes, p > 0.05).
• Depth of the most concave point in lower endplates was greater than in upper endplates (p < 0.05).

Interpretation:

The study indicates that the lower lumbar endplates are predominantly concave, while the S1 endplate is mostly flat, with no significant sex-related differences in morphology, which has implications for optimizing intervertebral fusion device design.

Limitations:

• Small sample size of 33 patients may limit generalizability.
• Exclusion of patients with spinal diseases may not represent the entire population, potentially affecting the applicability of findings.

Conclusion:

Understanding the morphological characteristics of lumbar endplates can optimize intervertebral fusion device design, potentially reducing postoperative complications.

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