Evaluation of maturation-related changes in maxillary sinus diameter and cheek teeth positioning relative to the maxillary sinus in the Dareshuri horse.
Abstract: Dareshuri horses are the predominant breed in Fars Province, Iran. Although disorders affecting their maxillary cheek teeth and maxillary sinuses are relatively common, limited fundamental data are available on the dimensions and relationships of these structures at different ages. Given the significant anatomical changes in the heads of young horses as they mature, this study aimed to evaluate age-related changes in the position and anatomical relationships of individual maxillary cheek teeth within the rostral and caudal maxillary sinuses (RMS and CMS, respectively), as well as changes in the lengths and heights of individual sinus compartments during their growth. Radiographs were performed on 29 heads of live, healthy horses aged between 4 months and 5 years and were analyzed using the EConsole1 Radiography Viewer software (V.3, 2017, DRTECH Europe GmbH, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany). Statistical analyses revealed that the only significant change throughout the study was an increase in the length of the CMS (4.075 ± 0.99 cm; SE), which was more significant in horses up to three years old. At less than 1 year old, the only tooth present in the maxillary sinus was M1. At 1-2 years old, M2 was observed entering the maxillary compartments; PM4 entered the RMS at 2-3 years old, and M3 entered the CMS at 3-4 years old. Eventually at 4-5 years old, PM3, M1, and M2 were present in the RMS, and M2 and M3 were present in the CMS. This information should be of value in the diagnosis and treatment of Dareshuri maxillofacial disorders and used as a reference for further anatomical investigations.
©2025 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
Publication Date: 2025-09-17 PubMed ID: 40980337PubMed Central: PMC12445997DOI: 10.1294/jes.36.81Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Overview
- This study examined how the size of the maxillary sinuses and the positioning of cheek teeth in Dareshuri horses change as they grow from foals to young adults.
- The research focused on understanding these age-related anatomical changes to provide baseline information useful for diagnosing and treating maxillofacial disorders in this breed.
Background and Purpose
- The Dareshuri horse is a major breed in Fars Province, Iran.
- These horses frequently experience diseases affecting the maxillary cheek teeth and sinuses.
- There is limited fundamental data on how the dimensions and spatial relationships between these structures develop with age in this breed.
- Young horses undergo significant anatomical changes in their heads as they mature, impacting sinus size and tooth positioning.
- The study aimed to map age-related changes in:
- The length and height of the rostral maxillary sinus (RMS) and caudal maxillary sinus (CMS)
- The location of individual maxillary cheek teeth within these sinus compartments
Methods
- Study subjects: 29 live, clinically healthy Dareshuri horses.
- Age range: 4 months to 5 years.
- Imaging: Radiographs of the horse heads taken to visualize sinus compartments and tooth location.
- Software analysis: EConsole1 Radiography Viewer (version 3, 2017) was used for measurement and interpretation.
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess significant changes related to age.
Key Findings
- The only statistically significant anatomical change with age was an increase in the length of the caudal maxillary sinus (CMS), averaging 4.075 ± 0.99 cm.
- This growth in CMS length was primarily observed in horses younger than 3 years old, indicating rapid sinus expansion during early maturation.
- Changes in tooth positioning relative to the sinuses followed a clear developmental pattern:
- Under 1 year old: Only the first molar (M1) was present within the maxillary sinus.
- Between 1 and 2 years: The second molar (M2) started to extend into the sinus compartments.
- Between 2 and 3 years: The fourth premolar (PM4) entered the rostral maxillary sinus (RMS).
- Between 3 and 4 years: The third molar (M3) entered the caudal maxillary sinus (CMS).
- At 4 to 5 years: The RMS contained PM3, M1, and M2, while the CMS contained M2 and M3.
Implications and Applications
- The detailed age-related map of sinus dimensions and tooth positioning provides a crucial anatomical reference specific to the Dareshuri breed.
- This baseline data aids veterinarians in:
- Accurate diagnosis of sinus and dental disorders by understanding normal versus abnormal anatomical relationships at different ages.
- Improving treatment approaches tailored to the horse’s stage of growth.
- The findings can support further anatomical research on equine maxillofacial development and veterinary care improvements for this important local breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Riahi Z, Naeini AT, Zare R.
(2025).
Evaluation of maturation-related changes in maxillary sinus diameter and cheek teeth positioning relative to the maxillary sinus in the Dareshuri horse.
J Equine Sci, 36(3), 81-91.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.36.81 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Science (Section of Veterinary Surgery), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Science (Section of Veterinary Surgery), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
- Co-founder of Riverside Veterinary Clinic, Shiraz, Iran.
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