Morphologic features of the cervical intervertebral disks and adjacent vertebral bodies of horses.
Abstract: The intervertebral disks and adjacent vertebral bodies of the 2nd to 7th cervical vertebrae from 17 horses (3 months to 19 years of age) were examined grossly and by light microscopy. In each specimen, the disk tissue was fibrocartilagenous centrally and became more fibrous peripherally, but without a distinct demarcation between the nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus. Demarcation between the anulus fibrosus and the dorsal longitudinal ligament was not apparent. With increasing age of the horses, cellularity of the central fibrocartilagenous portion of the disk decreased. The caudal end plates of the vertebrae had an increase in width and bone density with increasing age. In specimens from horses of all ages, the cranial end plate of the vertebrae had only a thin rim of dense bone. The cranial physis of each vertebral body was closed at 3 years of age, whereas the caudal physis of vertebral bodies was discontinuous in 6- to 9-year-old horses and was completely absent in horses greater than or equal to 12 years. Disruption of fibers of the anulus fibrosus by small amounts of fibro-cartilage was observed in disks from 5 horses. This change was similar to a Hansen type II disk prolapse.
Publication Date: 1985-11-01 PubMed ID: 4073650
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research paper examines the morphological features of the cervical intervertebral disks and adjacent vertebral bodies of horses from varying ages. It covers observations concerning the disc tissue, aging impact, and potential disruptions.
Introduction
The study focuses on the composition and structure of the intervertebral disks and adjacent vertebral bodies of the 2nd to 7th cervical vertebrae in 17 horses aged between 3 months to 19 years. The examination involved direct observation, also known as gross examination, and microscopic analysis of the specimens.
Intervertebral Disk Examination
- The research found that in each examined specimen, disk tissue was centrally fibrocartilaginous (composed of fibrous connective tissue and cartilage), and became progressively more fibrous towards the periphery.
- However, there was no distinct border differentiating the nucleus pulposus (the inner core of the vertebral disc) and the surrounding anulus fibrosus (the outer, fibrous ring of the disk).
- The study also highlighted that there wasn’t any noticeable demarcation between the anulus fibrosus and the dorsal longitudinal ligament, which runs along the back of the vertebrae.
Impacts of Aging
- The cellularity of the central fibrocartilaginous part of the disk was found to decrease with the increasing age of the horses, a natural aging process within the vertebral column.
- The research noticed an increase in the width and bone density of the caudal (rear) end plates of the vertebrae with increasing age.
- In contrast, the cranial (forward) end plate of the vertebrae was found to have only a thin rim of dense bone irrespective of age.
- The cranial physis (growth plate) for each vertebral body was closed by 3 years of age, whereas the caudal physis was discontinuous for 6- to 9-year-old horses and completely absent in horses 12 years or older.
Observations on Disruptions
- Fibers of the anulus fibrosus exhibited disruption by small amounts of fibro-cartilage in the disks from 5 horses.
- This change was compared to a Hansen type II disk prolapse, a condition seen in dogs referring to a slow and progressive degenerative condition affecting the intervertebral discs.
Cite This Article
APA
Yovich JV, Powers BE, Stashak TS.
(1985).
Morphologic features of the cervical intervertebral disks and adjacent vertebral bodies of horses.
Am J Vet Res, 46(11), 2372-2377.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Cervical Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Intervertebral Disc / anatomy & histology
Grant Funding
- 1T15CSO9408-1 / PHS HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Alini M, Diwan AD, Erwin WM, Little CB, Melrose J. An update on animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration and low back pain: Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to improve research analysis and development of prospective therapeutics. JOR Spine 2023 Mar;6(1):e1230.
- Bergmann W, de Lest CV, Plomp S, Vernooij JCM, Wijnberg ID, Back W, Gröne A, Delany MW, Caliskan N, Tryfonidou MA, Grinwis GCM. Intervertebral disc degeneration in warmblood horses: Histological and biochemical characterization. Vet Pathol 2022 Mar;59(2):284-298.
- Veraa S, Bergmann W, Wijnberg ID, Back W, Vernooij H, Nielen M, van den Belt AM. Equine cervical intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with location and MRI features. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019 Nov;60(6):696-706.
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