Lumbar arteries arise from the abdominal aorta. Some abdominal and spinal surgeries can damage these arteries, and that can lead to serious consequences. This study aimed at studying the types and frequencies of variations of lumbar vasculature. We dissected both sides of 109 adult human cadavers and studied the variations of lumbar vasculature. Age range was 43–90？years. Fifty-seven percent were males and 43% were females. The number of lumbar arteries arising from either side of the abdominal aorta varied between 3 and 5 pairs. The lumbar arteries arose from a common single stem in 12% of the cadavers. The third and fourth pairs of lumbar arteries arose from a common single stem in 3% and 11% of cadavers, respectively, and the first and second pairs of lumbar arteries arose from a common single stem in 1% and 2% of cadavers, respectively. The first and second lumbar arteries on the right side traveled anterior to the right crus of the diaphragm in 7% and 8% of cadavers, respectively. There were several variations with regard to the number, origin from the abdominal aorta, and pathway of lumbar arteries from what is described in the literature. 1. Introduction There are four lumbar arteries on the right and left sides of the body, which arise from the posterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta opposite the four lumbar vertebrae. A fifth smaller pair may occasionally arise from the median sacral artery, but lumbar branches of iliolumbar arteries usually take their place [1]. The median sacral artery arises from the posterior aspect of the abdominal aorta just above the aortic bifurcation, and the iliolumbar artery arises from the common iliac artery [1]. According to Glodny et al., iliolumbar artery can arise from the abdominal aorta [2]. The lumbar arteries run posterolaterally on the upper four lumbar vertebral bodies, pass posterior to the sympathetic trunks into the gaps between the lumbar transverse processes, and continue into the muscles of the abdominal wall [1]. The arteries of the right side pass posterior to the inferior vena cava (IVC). The first two lumbar arteries on the right side and the first lumbar artery on the left side run posterior to the right and left crura of the diaphragm, respectively [1]. These arteries anastomose with each other and also with lower posterior intercostals, subcostal, iliolumbar, deep circumflex iliac, and inferior epigastric arteries. Along their path from the origin to the final destination, the said arteries supply the muscles, fasciae, ligaments, intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and joints [1]. Knowing
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