National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

The interpedicular distance refers to the distance between the pedicles of adjacent vertebrae. In the lumbar region, this distance tends to increase as you move down the spine from L1 to L5. The anatomical structure of the vertebrae is such that the interpedicular distance becomes wider lower in the lumbar spine. This is due to the increased load and demands placed on the lower lumbar vertebrae, requiring a broader supportive base. Therefore, when comparing L1 to L5, the interpedicular distance at L1 is typically less than that at L5. This anatomic feature is crucial for understanding the variations in spinal anatomy and the implications for conditions that affect lumbar stability, as well as for surgical considerations or interventions that may be performed in this region.