Morphology, histochemistry, and function of epaxial cervical musculature in the horse (Equus caballus).
Abstract: The semispinalis capitis and splenius muscles of the horse were analyzed for gross morphology, microarchitecture, fiber length, and fiber type. Although these two muscles are similar in size and anatomical position, they are very different from one another in structural design and histochemistry, implying diverse functional roles in the animal's behavior. The histochemical staining profile was limited to two fiber types: slow oxidative and fast glycolytic. The splenius muscle has simple architecture, long fibers, and a 60/40 ratio of SO to FG cross-sectional area. The semispinalis capitis has complex architecture with short-fibered, concentric compartments dorsal to its central tendon and longer-fibered compartments ventrally. The entire dorsal region has an increasing gradient of slow oxidative fiber percentage from caudal to cranial (58-71% SO). In contrast, the ventral region has a decreasing gradient of slow oxidative fibers from caudal to cranial (48-67% FG). These patterns can be interpreted within the context of the cervical musculature during locomotion and posture to indicate the functional advantages of this organization.
Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Publication Date: 2001-12-19 PubMed ID: 11748702DOI: 10.1002/jmor.1082Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research is a detailed analysis of the morphology, structural design, and histochemistry of the semispinalis capitis and splenius muscles in horses, implying their different roles in locomotion and posture.
Research Overview
- This research focused on studying two different muscles in horses: the semispinalis capitis and the splenius.
- Both these muscles were analyzed for their gross morphology (general structure), microarchitecture (detailed structure), fiber length, and fiber type (the basic structural and functional unit of muscle).
A Comparative Study of Semispinalis Capitis and Splenius Muscles
- The researchers found that although these muscles are similar in size and anatomical position, they show significant structural and histochemical differences, hinting at their different functional roles in horse behavior.
- The histochemistry of the muscles, or the chemical constituents of the cells, was found to be limited to two fiber types: slow oxidative and fast glycolytic.
Specific Characteristics of the Splenius Muscle
- The splenius muscle was found to have a simple structure, with long fibers.
- Specifically, it had a 60/40 ratio of Slow Oxidative (SO) to Fast Glycolytic (FG) fibers in cross-sectional area.
Specific Characteristics of the Semispinalis Capitis Muscle
- The semispinalis capitis was found to be more complex in structure, hosting concentric compartments of short fibers dorsal (at the back) to its central tendon.
- Also, it had longer-fibre compartments in the ventral (frontal) region.
- The percentage of SO fiber in the entire dorsal region showed an increasing gradient as it moved from the caudal (tail) end to the cranial (head) end – varying from 58% to 71%.
- In contrast, the ventral region showed a decreasing gradient of SO fibers from the caudal to cranial direction.
Implications of the Findings
- The SO to FG ratios and architectural differences in these two muscles help in understanding their functional roles in horse locomotion and posture.
- The gradients of SO fiber in the semispinalis capitis muscle provide insights into the functional advantages of its unique organization, potentially solving questions about horse locomotion and muscle performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Gellman KS, Bertram JE, Hermanson JW.
(2001).
Morphology, histochemistry, and function of epaxial cervical musculature in the horse (Equus caballus).
J Morphol, 251(2), 182-194.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1082 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA. ksg1@cornell.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Histocytochemistry
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / enzymology
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
- Neck Muscles / anatomy & histology
- Neck Muscles / enzymology
- Neck Muscles / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Charles J, Kissane R, Hoehfurtner T, Bates KT. From fibre to function: are we accurately representing muscle architecture and performance?. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022 Aug;97(4):1640-1676.
- Zsoldos RR, Krüger B, Licka TF. From maturity to old age: tasks of daily life require a different muscle use in horses. Comp Exerc Physiol 2014;10(2):75-88.
- Loscher DM, Meyer F, Kracht K, Nyakatura JA. Timing of head movements is consistent with energy minimization in walking ungulates. Proc Biol Sci 2016 Nov 30;283(1843).
- Hobbs SJ, Bertram JE, Clayton HM. An exploration of the influence of diagonal dissociation and moderate changes in speed on locomotor parameters in trotting horses. PeerJ 2016;4:e2190.
- Webster EL, Hudson PE, Channon SB. Comparative functional anatomy of the epaxial musculature of dogs (Canis familiaris) bred for sprinting vs. fighting. J Anat 2014 Sep;225(3):317-27.
- Graziotti GH, Chamizo VE, Ríos C, Acevedo LM, Rodríguez-Menéndez JM, Victorica C, Rivero JL. Adaptive functional specialisation of architectural design and fibre type characteristics in agonist shoulder flexor muscles of the llama, Lama glama. J Anat 2012 Aug;221(2):151-63.
- Dunbar DC, Macpherson JM, Simmons RW, Zarcades A. Stabilization and mobility of the head, neck and trunk in horses during overground locomotion: comparisons with humans and other primates. J Exp Biol 2008 Dec;211(Pt 24):3889-907.
- Sharir A, Milgram J, Shahar R. Structural and functional anatomy of the neck musculature of the dog (Canis familiaris). J Anat 2006 Mar;208(3):331-51.
- Dyson S, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M. Congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae are not associated with clinical signs or other radiological abnormalities of the cervicothoracic region in Warmblood horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):419-430.
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