Anatomic analysis of the equine mental foramen and rostral mandibular canal using computed tomography.
Abstract: To characterize the anatomy of the mental foramen and determine associations with age, weight, sex and breed. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Forty-one horses, 0.6-25.2 years and weighing 136-820 kg. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) studies of equine heads performed over 5 years were evaluated in multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction. Measurements obtained were positioning of the foramen along the mandible, foramen height and width, foramen-canal angulation and rostral canal mineralization. Exploratory statistical analyses investigated associations between measurements and age, weight, sex and breed. Results: Evaluation of 41 CT studies revealed foramen positioning was one-third of the horizontal distance of the incisor-premolar space from the second premolar and one-third of the vertical distance in the mandible from the dorsal surface of interproximal space at the level of the foramen. Age was negatively correlated to horizontal positioning [r = -0.42; 95% confidence intervals (CI), -0.64 to -0.13]. Mean foramen width was 6.4 (range, 2.3-17.1) mm and height 5.6 (range, 2.1-10.3) mm. Age and foramen height (r = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.57) and width (r = 0.30; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.30) were positively correlated. Thoroughbred and Warmblood/Draft horses had increased foramina heights compared with Quarter horses [analysis of variance (anova)p = 0.02]. Males had wider foramina (95% CI, -2.66 to 0.07). Angulation of the foramen-canal was mean ± standard deviation 68.3 ± 12.8° (range, 37.9-105.6°) transverse plane, 28.3 ± 4.1° (range, 18.2-39.0°) saggital plane and 41.4 ± 8.45° (range, 22.2-58.6°) dorsal plane. Older horses had decreased mineralization of the rostral canal (anova, left p = 0.015, right p = 0.025). Conclusions: The size, shape, positioning and angulation of the mental foramen varies. Mineralization of the canal is decreased in older horses. Conclusions: This study improves understanding of mental foramen anatomy and complications with needle placement.
Copyright © 2018 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-02-01 PubMed ID: 29550176DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2018.01.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the anatomy of the mental foramen and rostral mandibular canal of horses using computed tomography. It explores correlations between age, weight, sex, breed and characteristics of the foramen.
Research Methods
In this study, a variety of methods were deployed:
- The research is based on a retrospective descriptive analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans of 41 horse heads – ages ranging from 0.6 to 25.2 years and with weights between 136-820 kg.
- Investigations were conducted over a span of 5 years, using multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction of the scans.
- Multiple measurements were made that included the positioning of the foramen on the mandible, the height and width of the foramen, the angulation between the foramen and canal, and the mineralization of the rostral canal.
- Associations between these characteristics and the age, weight, sex, and breed of the horses were scrutinized using exploratory statistical analysis.
Key Findings
The research led to some important findings:
- The foramen positioning was about one-third of the horizontal distance of the incisor-premolar space from the second premolar and also one-third of the vertical distance in the mandible from the dorsal surface.
- Negative correlation was found between age and the horizontal positioning of the foramen. The older the horse, the lesser the horizontal positioning.
- The average foramen width and height were 6.4mm and 5.6mm respectively. Age showed a positive correlation with both these measurements. This suggests that as the horse ages, the foramen height and width increase.
- Different horse breeds showed difference in foramen heights. Thoroughbred and Warmblood/Draft horses displayed increased foramen heights compared to Quarter horses.
- Males seemed to have wider foramina than females.
- Angulation of the foramen-canal showed variations in different planes: transverse plane (mean 68.3°), sagittal plane (mean 28.3°), and dorsal plane (mean 41.4°).
- Older horses were found to have decreased rostral canal mineralization.
Conclusions
The researchers concluded that there is variation in the size, shape, positioning, and angulation of the mental foramen. The mineralization of the rostral canal was found to decrease with the age of the horse. These findings offer better understanding of the mental foramen anatomy, which can help in avoiding complications during needle placement.
Cite This Article
APA
Rawlinson JE, Bass L, Campoy L, Broman A, Prytherch B.
(2018).
Anatomic analysis of the equine mental foramen and rostral mandibular canal using computed tomography.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 45(3), 357-365.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2018.01.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. Electronic address: jennie.rawlinson@gmail.com.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Mandible / anatomy & histology
- Mandible / diagnostic imaging
- Retrospective Studies
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Goodarzi N, Zehtabvar O, Tohidifar M. Applied anatomy of the skull in the Arabian horse: A computed tomographic, cross-sectional, volumetric and morphometric study.. Vet Med Sci 2021 Nov;7(6):2225-2233.
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