The mineral density of lumbar vertebrae in connection with age

The detailed data about age changes of mineral density in the lumbar spine were obtained. They can be used as normative ones while conducting the work on prevention of fractures among population. In normal subjects the maximal density in the lumbar spine was noted at the age of 21-25 years. Its authentic decrease began at the age of 41-45 years in women and at the age above 60 years in men. Mineral loss is accompanied by vertebral width increase at the expense of periosteum spreading. In men the vertebral width increases slowly in any age, as for women it increases till the age of 70 years and after that it decreases.