Introduction:

During the archaeological or forensic discovery of an incomplete skeleton, with vertebrae without identifying characteristics, it is not possible to determine the regional level of the spine because there are few determinants that distinguish the levels to which a vertebra belongs.

Objective:

To propose a mathematical formula for the identification of lumbar vertebrae that are not particular.

Methods:

A descriptive observational study was conducted in the osteotheque of the University of Medical Sciences of Matanzas. All lumbar vertebrae between LII and LIV in the collection were analyzed for a total of 87 bones. The indices for the body and hole were measured and calculated, and a mathematical quotient was used to associate both parts.

Results:

The transverse diameter predominated over the antero-posterior in the body and in the hole. The mean ratio between the two was 0.60 cm and allowed the vertebrae to be divided into 2 groups: upper and lower; morphologically, they must coincide with the lumbar vertebrae LII and LIV.

Conclusions:

The morphometric relationship of the body-hole ratio can differentiate lumbar vertebrae that are not particular.

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