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Anatomy and embryology1993; 187(3); 231-238; doi: 10.1007/BF00195760

Functional associations between collagen fibre orientation and locomotor strain direction in cortical bone of the equine radius.

Abstract: A novel technique for determining the collagen fibre orientation pattern of cross-sections of cortical bone was used to study mid-diaphyseal sections from the equine radius. Several in vivo strain gauge studies have demonstrated that this bone is loaded in bending during locomotion in such a way that the cranial cortex is consistently subjected to longitudinal tensile strains and the caudal cortex to longitudinal compressive strains. Twenty-three radii from 17 horses were studied. All the bones obtained from adult horses exhibited a consistent pattern of collagen fibre orientation across the cortex. The cranial cortex, subjected to intermittent tension, and the lateral and medial cortices, through which the neutral axis passes, contained predominantly longitudinally oriented collagen fibres. The caudal cortex, subjected to longitudinal compression during life, contained predominantly oblique/transverse collagen. This pattern was less evident in bones from foals. Microscopic analysis of the bones studied showed that primary lamellar bone was composed of predominantly longitudinal collagen fibres, irrespective of cortex. However, there was a strong relationship between cortical location and fibre orientation within remodelled bone. Secondary osteons which formed in the caudal (compressive) cortex contained predominantly oblique/transverse collagen, while those which formed elsewhere contained longitudinal collagen. This observation explained the developmental appearance of the characteristic macroscopic pattern of collagen fibre orientation across the whole cortex in the adult. These findings provide evidence for the existence of a relationship between the mechanical function of a bone with its architecture, and now demonstrate that it extends to the molecular level.
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Publication Date: 1993-03-01 PubMed ID: 8470823DOI: 10.1007/BF00195760Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the functional associations between collagen fibre orientation and locomotor strain direction in the lower part of a horse’s leg bone, the equine radius. The study identifies that the bone bears load during movement and its structure adjusts correspondingly.

Methodology

  • The researchers used a new technique to determine collagen fibre orientation patterns in cross-sections of cortical bone found in the mid-section of the equine radius.
  • To identify the loads on this bone during movement, the study used data from in vivo strain gauge studies.
  • The research studied 23 radii from 17 horses.

Key Findings

  • The evidence from adult horses revealed a consistent pattern of collagen fibre orientation throughout cortical bone.
  • The front part of the bone, which usually undergoes periodic tension, and the side parts, through which the neutral axis passes, showed longitudinally-aligned collagen fibres.
  • The hind part of the bone, which faces longitudinal compression during a horse’s lifespan, contained predominantly oblique/transverse collagen fibres.
  • The above patterns were not as noticeable in foal bones, which are still developing.

Microscopic Analysis

  • Microscopic analysis reflected that primary lamellar bone is made of primarily longitudinal collagen fibres, regardless of the part of the cortex.
  • However, the analysis established a strong connection between cortical location or bone part and fibre orientationwithin remodelled bone.
  • The secondary osteons formed in compressed cortex contained predominantly oblique/transverse collagen, whereas those formed elsewhere had longitudinal collagen.
  • This explains the macroscopic pattern of collagen fibre orientation throughout the cortex seen in adult horses.

Significance of Findings

  • The research supports the theory that the mechanical function or how the bone is used impacts its structure, with evidence extending to the molecular level.
  • It indicates that the bone’s architecture adapts to its function over time.

Cite This Article

APA
Riggs CM, Lanyon LE, Boyde A. (1993). Functional associations between collagen fibre orientation and locomotor strain direction in cortical bone of the equine radius. Anat Embryol (Berl), 187(3), 231-238. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195760

Publication

Anatomy and embryology
ISSN: 0340-2061
NlmUniqueID: 7505194
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 187
Issue: 3
Pages: 231-238

Researcher Affiliations

Riggs, C M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Science, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK.
Lanyon, L E
    Boyde, A

      MeSH Terms

      • Aging / physiology
      • Animals
      • Collagen / physiology
      • Collagen / ultrastructure
      • Fetus / physiology
      • Horses / embryology
      • Horses / growth & development
      • Horses / physiology
      • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
      • Microscopy, Polarization
      • Motor Activity / physiology
      • Radius / growth & development
      • Radius / physiology
      • Stress, Mechanical

      Grant Funding

      • Wellcome Trust

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