A limbus vertebra is a bone tubercle formed by bone trauma on a

vertebral body The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic ...

, bearing a radiographic similarity to a vertebral

fracture Fracture is the separation of an object or material into two or more pieces under the action of stress. The fracture of a solid usually occurs due to the development of certain displacement discontinuity surfaces within the solid. If a displ ...

. The anterior-superior corner of a single vertebra is the common site for this defect although it can also be seen at the inferior corner as well as the posterior or anterior margin. Anatomically, it is assumed to be an intra-vertebral body herniation of the disc material occurring during adolescent growth spurt when the ring apophysis has not yet fused. It was first described by Schmorl in 1927 and later in detail by Leif Sward and Adad Baranto. Viewed in a lateral

radiograph Radiography is an imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal form of an object. Applications of radiography include medical radiography ("diagnostic" and "therapeut ...

, it appears as a triangular shaped bone fragment, not unlike an anterior lip fracture, but with softer edges. Limbus vertebra is not always symptomatic, but severe cases may lead to more serious pathological conditions and chronic pain. In rare instances, a posterior limbus vertebra has been described causing

radiculopathy Radiculopathy, also commonly referred to as pinched nerve, refers to a set of conditions in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly (a neuropathy). Radiculopathy can result in pain ( radicular pain), weakness, altered sen ...

due to nerve root compression. T1 W Sagittal

References

Vertebrate anatomy {{Vertebrate anatomy-stub