## 4 Discussion
The issue of intervertebral foramen and their surface area has not been widely discussed in the literature. There is a lack of comprehensive research that addresses this issue in a holistic way. The topic of the dimensions of the intervertebral foramen appeared in the studies of [PERSON] et al. [18]. The authors assessed the surface area, vertical, and horizontal dimensions of the intervertebral foramen. They tried to determine whether gender could be a factor differentiating these dimensions. The topic of intervertebral foramen was also reported by [PERSON] [19], [PERSON] [20], and [PERSON] [7]. The last of the studies cited showed that the anatomical parameters of the intervertebral foramen, assessed by preoperative MRI, were independently correlated with the results reported by patients with degenerative lumbar foramen stenosis. Reducing the width of the superior foramen was associated with better improvement in both functional status and quality of life after transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). The studies to date lack publications that would suggest significant associations between the anatomical parameters obtained from preoperative MRI and preoperative VAS results for leg pain, ODI, and EQ-5D. [PERSON] et al. [21] showed a weak correlation between the area of the dural sac and walking distance, ODI, SF-36, EQ-5D, and the level of back and leg pain in patients with spinal canal impingement [21]. [PERSON] et al. (2014) also found no correlation between MRI results and symptoms or walking ability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis [22]. [PERSON] et al. reported a change in the geometry of the L4/5 foramen with age in men. They showed that the height of the hole decreased in each sagittal plane with age, while the width of the hole showed no significant difference [23]. [PERSON] et al. analyzed the LS spine X-ray of healthy patients between 18 and 80 years of age. They found that the greatest changes in the shape of the intervertebral foramen occur in patients over 60 years of age compared to the population in the 40-60 bracket. The main changes were the parameters determined in relation to the upper articular process [24]. According to some authors, the measurements of the intervertebral canals made on cadavers are very similar to those obtained using imaging methods such as CT and MRI. However, cadaver studies are usually limited by small research samples and results are inconsistent across different authors. In contrast, imaging studies provide the ability to assess larger groups of patients relatively more easily and reproducibly, and thus allow more reliable results for further comparisons and analyses [24]. The measurement of intervertebral foramen (IVF) in the lumbar spine can be useful in clinical practice for several reasons, but its clinical significance may vary depending on the specific context and the patient's clinical presentation. Surgeons may measure the IVF to plan surgical procedures. Accurate measurements of the IVF can help determine the surgical approach and guide the removal of any obstructions causing nerve compression. Measuring the intervertebral foramen can also be valuable for tracking the progress of a patient's condition over time. It provides objective data to assess the effectiveness of treatments and whether the foramen has changed in size. In the field of spinal research, measurements of the intervertebral foramen can be valuable for studying spinal anatomy,pathophysiology, and treatment outcomes. Researchers can use these measurements to assess the impact of various interventions and contribute to the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines. Research on the impact of surface area on the occurrence of pain should be continued. They should focus on issues related to the surface area of the intervertebral foramen and their impact on the nerve roots. Findings from such studies may help surgeons identify patients who will have a better prognosis after surgery. The research carried out as part of this work had some limitations.