AbstractIntroduction: Various aspects of lumbar vertebrae have been studied in the past and much of work has been done on morphometry of lumbar vertebrae and spinal canal. The size and shape of the spinal canal is important in relation to occurrence of symptoms of cord or root compression, especially when spondylatic changes supervene. Methods: For the present study forty complete known sets of lumbar vertebrae (25 sets of males and 15 sets of females) were collected from anatomy department of various medical colleges in Maharashtra region. Results: The parameters taken were transverse diameter of spinal canal and that of vertebral body. With the help of these parameters canal body ratio was calculated. The mean transverse diameter of spinal canal and vertebral body showed increase from L1 to L5 in both sexes. The canal body ratio ranged between 0.53 mm to 0.59 mm in females. The mean canal body ratio was about 0.6 mm at L1, L2 and L5 and about 0.5 mm at L3 and L4 in both sexes. The ratio between transverse diameter of spinal canal and vertebral body does not seem to be constant at all lumbar levels in both sexes. The parameters showed statistically significant difference in their mean values for males and females indicating sexual dimorphism. Conclusion: The present study showed regional variations in dimensions of lumbar vertebrae thus emphasizing the need to determine the normal ranges of values for different populations. These figures could help in forensic medicine because of observed racial and regional variations.