Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Close Up View

Description

Lumbar vertebral endplates frame a lateral interbody cage seated within the disc space in close proximity to the ring apophysis. The implant spans from the left lateral annulus toward the contralateral side, contacting the superior endplate of the caudal vertebra and the inferior endplate of the cranial vertebra, with its long axis oriented mediolaterally. Surrounding bony margins and cortical endplate contours are emphasized, allowing the viewer to judge the implant’s position relative to the subchondral bone and the anterior and posterior vertebral body walls. Fixation is the focus. Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF, often grouped with XLIF techniques) relies on broad endplate coverage to restore disc height and indirect foraminal decompression while minimizing endplate violation that can lead to cage subsidence. Endplate integrity matters. For surgical planning and teaching, the close-up perspective makes it easier to discuss ideal cage footprint at the apophyseal ring, common errors such as overzealous endplate preparation, and the relationship between implant height, segmental lordosis, and postoperative coronal balance. The lighting and material contrast separate porous implant surfaces from cortical bone, which helps when explaining radiographic correlates such as endplate sclerosis, settling, or anterior placement drift. Use this illustration in spine surgery atlases, resident lectures on minimally invasive lateral approaches, and patient-facing materials that explain why a cage is positioned between vertebral endplates rather than across posterior elements. It also supports journal figures on subsidence risk, endplate preparation techniques, and comparative discussions of LLIF versus TLIF/PLIF cage footprints. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.