Skip to main content
Log in

Study of the course of the incidence angle during growth

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Standing posture is made possible by hip extension and lumbar lordosis. Lumbar lordosis is correlated with pelvic parameters, such as the declivity angle of the upper surface of the sacrum and the incidence angle, which determine the sagittal morphotype. Incidence angle, which is different for each individual, is known to be very important for upright posture, but its course during life has not yet been established. Incidence angle was measured on radiographs of 30 fetuses, 30 children and 30 adults, and results were analysed using the correlation coefficientr and Student's t test. A statistically significant correlation between age and incidence angle was observed. Incidence angle considerably increases during the first months, continues to increase during early years, and stabilizes around the age of 10 years. Incidence is a mark of bipedism, and its role in sagittal balance is essential.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abitbol MM (1987) Evolution of the lumbosacral angle. Am J Physiol Anthropol 72: 361–372

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bagnall KM, Harris PF, Jones PR (1982) A radiographic study of the growth in width of the human fetal vertebral column. Anat Rec 204: 265–270

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bogduk N, Macintosh JE, Pearcy MJ (1992) A universal model of the lumbar back muscles in the upright position. Spine 17: 897–913

    Google Scholar 

  4. Delmas A (1972) L'homme devant Fhominisation. Q Anat Prat [Suppl 28] 1–4: 22–56

    Google Scholar 

  5. During J, Goudfrooij H, Keesen W, Beeker Th W, Crowe A (1985) Toward standards for posture. Postural characteristics of the lower back system in normal and pathological conditions. Spine 10: 83–87

    Google Scholar 

  6. Duval-Beaupère G, Schmidt C, Cosson PH (1992) A barycentremetric study of the sagittal shape of spine and pelvis. Ann Biomed Eng 20: 451–462

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gelb DE, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Blanke K, McEnery KW (1995) An analysis of sagittal spinal alignment in 100 asymptomatic middle and older aged volunteers. Spine 20: 1351–1358

    Google Scholar 

  8. Legaye J, Hecquet J, Marty C, Duval-Beaupere G (1993) Equilibre sagittal du rachis. Relations entre bassin et courbures rachidiennes sagittales en position debout. Rachis 5: 215–226

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mamay T (1988) Equilibre du rachis et du bassin. Cah Enseign SOFCOT 31, pp 281–313

    Google Scholar 

  10. Milne JS, Lauder IJ (1974) Age effects in kyphosis and lordosis in adults. Ann Human Biol 1: 327–337

    Google Scholar 

  11. Runge H, Zippel H (1976) Untersuchungen zur Entwicklung des Wirbelbogens im Lumbosacralbereich. Beitr Orthop Traumatol 23: 19–29

    Google Scholar 

  12. Sturesson B, Selvic G, Udén A (1989) Movements of the sacroiliac joints. A roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis. Spine 14: 162–165

    Google Scholar 

  13. Voutsinas SA, MacEwan GD (1986) Sagittal Profiles of the spine. Clin Orthop 210: 235–242

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mangione, P., Gomez, D. & Senegas, J. Study of the course of the incidence angle during growth. Eur Spine J 6, 163–167 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01301430

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01301430

Key words

Navigation