Geometric properties of equine metacarpi.
Abstract: Paired equine metacarpals were harvested, cleaned and sectioned transversely every 20 mm, and the bone geometry analyzed with a computer program. The cross-sectional area is largest in the middle third of the bone, and tapers off at either end. The principal axes are typically within 15 degrees of the anatomical axis, with the distal end rotated internally relative to the proximal end. At midshafts the bending stiffness in the antero-posterior plane is about 2/3 of the stiffness in the medio-lateral plane. The torsional stiffness is highest proximally. The equine third metacarpal appears to be designed to resist axial compression and mediolateral bending very well, and exhibits uniform resistance to torsion along its length.
Publication Date: 1983-01-01 PubMed ID: 6863328DOI: 10.1016/0021-9290(83)90036-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research article discusses an analysis of the geometric properties of horse metacarpal bones, highlighting that they are best suited to resist axial compression and bending forces, and that torsional resistance is consistent throughout.
Methodology
- Equine metacarpals were procured and properly treated before being sliced transversely every 20 mm.
- A computer program was utilized to analyze the geometric characteristics of the bone sections.
Cross-sectional Area
- The study found that the cross-sectional area is largest in the middle third part of the bone, tapering off towards both ends. This suggests the midsection is structurally reinforced to bear the most load, a characteristic likely attributed to the weight distribution in equine locomotion.
Principal Axes and Bending Stiffness
- Principal axes referred to in the study, generally lay within 15 degrees of the bone’s anatomical axis.
- The research also observed that the distal end, closer to the horse’s hoof, was internally rotated in relation to the proximal end, nearer to the horse’s body.
- In terms of bending stiffness, the bone’s midshaft demonstrated more resistance to bending in the medio-lateral plane (side to side) than in the antero-posterior plane (front to back). This implies a design evolved to withstand the forces experienced during running or jumping.
Torsional Stiffness
- The research noted the highest torsional stiffness (resistance to twisting) at the proximal end of the bone. The findings suggest that this end of the metacarpal is better equipped to counteract twisting forces.
- However, the study also concluded that the resistance to torsion was fairly uniform along the length of the bone, implying a consistently effective defense against such forces wherever they occur on the bone.
Overall Observations
- The findings indicate that the equine third metacarpal bone is anatomically designed to competently resist axial compression (bearing down forces) and medio-lateral bending, essential for horse’s high-speed maneuvers such as racing or jumping.
Cite This Article
APA
Piotrowski G, Sullivan M, Colahan PT.
(1983).
Geometric properties of equine metacarpi.
J Biomech, 16(2), 129-139.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(83)90036-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Mathematics
- Metacarpus / anatomy & histology
Grant Funding
- AM 20339 / NIADDK NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- May-Davis S, Brown WY, Shorter K, Vermeulen Z, Butler R, Koekkoek M. A Novel Non-Invasive Selection Criterion for the Preservation of Primitive Dutch Konik Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2018 Feb 1;8(2).
- McCartney RN, Jeffcott LB. Combined 2.25 MHz ultrasound velocity and bone mineral density measurements in the equine metacarpus and their in vivo applications.. Med Biol Eng Comput 1987 Nov;25(6):620-6.
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