Sriram Balasubramanian, James R. Peters, Lucy F. Robinson, Anita Singh, Richard W. Kent


November 2016, Volume 25, Issue 12, pp 4140 - 4154 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-016-4776-x

First Online: 04 October 2016

Purpose

Based on the structural anatomy, loading condition and range of motion (ROM), no quadruped animal has been shown to accurately mimic the structure and biomechanical function of the human spine. The objective of this study is to quantify the thoracic vertebrae geometry of the kangaroo, and compare with adult human, pig, sheep, and deer.

Methods

The thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12) from whole body CT scans of ten juvenile kangaroos (ages 11–14 months) were digitally reconstructed and geometric dimensions of the vertebral bodies, endplates, pedicles, spinal canal, processes, facets and intervertebral discs were recorded. Similar data available in the literature on the adult human, pig, sheep, and deer were compared to the kangaroo. A non-parametric trend analysis was performed.

Results

Thoracic vertebral dimensions of the juvenile kangaroo were found to be generally smaller than those of the adult human and quadruped animals. The most significant (p 

Conclusions

Similarities in thoracic spine vertebral geometry, particularly of the vertebrae, pedicles and facets may render the kangaroo a more clinically relevant human surrogate for testing spinal implants. The pseudo-biped kangaroo may also be a more suitable model for the human thoracic spine for simulating spine deformities, based on previously published similarities in biomechanical loading, posture and ROM.


Read Full Article