Skip to content
Epomedicine

Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

Epomedicine

Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

Kambin’s Triangle or Prism

Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics, Apr 10, 2025Apr 10, 2025

There is confusion regarding the borders of Kambin’s triangle across the literature.

Kambin originally described the borders of this triangular working zone as:

  1. Anterior: Exiting nerve root
  2. Inferior: Proximal end plate of lower lumbar vertebra
  3. Posterior: Superior articular process of lower vertebra
  4. Medial: Traversing nerve root and dural sac

Though it was named as a “triangle” it was described with 4 borders with 2 triangles (in AP view and Lateral view) which gives a 3D structure more appropriately a “prism”.

Kambin's triangle AP view
Biswas, Rajasree & Choudhury, Arpita & Bhattacharya, Dipasri & Nandy, Sabyasachi. (2021). A comparative evaluation of kambin’s triangle approach versus safe triangle approach for lumbar transforaminal epidural injection in patients with lumbar radiculopathy – A prospective, randomized, double blind study. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences. 12. 41-47. 10.3126/ajms.v12i8.36339. [CC BY 4.0]
Kambin's triangle lateral view
Waguia R, Gupta N, Gamel KL, Ukachukwu A. Current and Future Applications of the Kambin’s Triangle in Lumbar Spine Surgery. Cureus. 2022 Jun 6;14(6):e25686. doi: 10.7759/cureus.25686. PMID: 35812644; PMCID: PMC9259071. [CC BY 3.0]

Uses of Kambin’s triangle:

Kambin’s triangle is regarded as a “safe” space because it is devoid of important neurovascular structures. It is an anatomical corridor useful in:

  1. Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection (TFESI)
  2. Diagnostic discograms
  3. Access disc space in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
  4. Access disc space in Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD)

Reference: Kambin’s triangle: definition and new classification schema in: Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine Volume 32 Issue 3 (2019) Journals

dr. sulabh kumar shrestha
Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics

He is the section editor of Orthopedics in Epomedicine. He searches for and share simpler ways to make complicated medical topics simple. He also loves writing poetry, listening and playing music. He is currently pursuing Fellowship in Hip, Pelvi-acetabulum and Arthroplasty at B&B Hospital.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS AnatomyAnesthesiaNervous systemOrthopedics

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Related Posts

PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS hemoptysis causes

Hemoptysis – Examination and Evaluation

Apr 9, 2015Jun 19, 2016

Synonym: Haemoptysis Definition of Hemoptysis Simple definition: Expectoration of blood or bloody sputum Hemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract, a spectrum that varies from blood-streaking of sputum to coughing up large amounts of pure blood. True hemoptysis is expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tree, below…

Read More
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Paget’s Disease of bone : Mnemonic

Jul 20, 2022Jul 20, 2022

Synonyms: Osteitis deformans Collage of matrix madness Mnemonic: Sixteen “P”s 1. Paramyxovirus infection and inclusions in osteocalsts 2. Pain (most common symptom – localized fractures or nerve compressions) 3. Pelvis (most common site) 4. Polyostotic (more common; 85%) 5. Phases: Active (lytic, mixed, sclerotic) and Inactive 6. Plasma volume expansion…

Read More
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS surface lungs

Respiratory Examination – Relevant Anatomy and Physiology

Apr 4, 2015

1. Division of Airway: Extrathoracic (Upper) airway: Nose to Upper trachea Intrathoracic (Lower) airway: Lower trachea to Alveoli and lungs Note: Vocal fold is also regarded as the demarcating line between upper and lower respiratory tract 2. Angle of Louis: Junction of body of sternum to manubrium (2nd costal cartilage…

Read More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pre-clinical (Basic Sciences)

Anatomy

Biochemistry

Community medicine (PSM)

Embryology

Microbiology

Pathology

Pharmacology

Physiology

Clinical Sciences

Anesthesia

Dermatology

Emergency medicine

Forensic

Internal medicine

Gynecology & Obstetrics

Oncology

Ophthalmology

Orthopedics

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Radiology

Surgery

RSS Ask Epomedicine

  • What to study for Clinical examination in Orthopedics?
  • What is the mechanism of AVNRT?

Epomedicine weekly

  • About Epomedicine
  • Contact Us
  • Author Guidelines
  • Submit Article
  • Editorial Board
  • USMLE
  • MRCS
  • Thesis
©2026 Epomedicine | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes