Relationship between intervertebral joint morphology and mobility in the equine thoracolumbar spine.
Abstract: The anatomical features of 21 equine thoracolumbar spines, obtained from horses with clinically normal backs, were examined and the results compared with recent data on the mobility of the joint complexes of the horse's spine. The thoracolumbar spine can be divided into four regions based upon the morphology of the joint complexes: the first thoracic intervertebral joint (T1-2), the cranial and mid thoracic region (T2-T16), the caudal thoracic and lumbar region (T16-L6) and the lumbosacral joint. The mobility of the intervertebral joints in each of these regions can be related to their morphology, particularly the shape, size and orientation of the articular facets and the presence and frequent fusion of the lateral joints of the lumbar spine. The shape and thickness of the intervertebral discs also appear to be of importance.
Publication Date: 1984-09-01 PubMed ID: 6489309DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01981.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the relationship between joint shape and movement in the spines of horses. It implies that peculiar characteristics of these joints, like their shape and size, significantly influence their flexibility.
Examination of Anatomical Features
- The study examined the anatomical characteristics of 21 thoracolumbar spines from clinically healthy horses. The thoracolumbar spine is the portion of the horse’s vertebral column located between the neck and the tail, comprising the thoracic and lumbar regions (back and lower back).
- The researchers studied features such as the shape, size, and orientation of the articular facets, the thickness of the intervertebral disks, and the presence and/or fusion of the lateral joints in the lumbar spine.
- The articular facets are the connecting points between vertebra, allowing them to interlock and giving the spine its flexibility.
- The intervertebral discs act as cushions between spinal vertebra to absorb shock and facilitate movement.
Division of the Thoracolumbar Spine
- Based on the structure of the joint complexes, the researchers divided the thoracolumbar spine into four regions: First thoracic intervertebral joint (T1-2), Cranial and mid-thoracic region (T2-T16), Caudal thoracic and lumbar region (T16-L6), and the Lumbosacral joint.
- These divisions reflect the different morphologies and therapeutic needs of different spinal sections.
Relation between Morphology and Mobility
- The researchers found a relationship between the morphology of intervertebral joints in each region and their mobility.
- Morphological attributes, particularly the shape, size, and orientation of the articular facets, are identified as critical to joint mobility. For example, joints may be more or less mobile depending on the shape and orientation of their facets.
- The presence of fused lateral joints in the lumbar spine was also an influencing factor. Joint fusion typically restricts movement. Likewise, the shape and thickness of the intervertebral discs also seemingly play considerable roles.
Cite This Article
APA
Townsend HG, Leach DH.
(1984).
Relationship between intervertebral joint morphology and mobility in the equine thoracolumbar spine.
Equine Vet J, 16(5), 461-465.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01981.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Intervertebral Disc / anatomy & histology
- Intervertebral Disc / physiology
- Lumbar Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
- Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
- Movement
- Spine / anatomy & histology
- Spine / physiology
- Thoracic Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
- Thoracic Vertebrae / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 16 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.
- Scilimati N, Angeli G, Di Meo A, Dall'Aglio C, Pepe M, Beccati F. Post-Mortem Computed Tomographic Features of the Most Caudal Lumbar Vertebrae, Anatomical Variations and Acquired Osseous Pathological Changes, in a Mixed Population of Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 19;13(4).
- Simonato SP, Bernardina GRD, Ferreira LCR, Silvatti AP, Barcelos KMC, da Fonseca BPA. 3D kinematic of the thoracolumbar spine in Mangalarga Marchador horses performing the marcha batida gait and being led by hand-A preliminary report.. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0253697.
- Byström A, Hardeman AM, Serra Bragança FM, Roepstorff L, Swagemakers JH, van Weeren PR, Egenvall A. Differences in equine spinal kinematics between straight line and circle in trot.. Sci Rep 2021 Jun 18;11(1):12832.
- Spoormakers TJP, Veraa S, Graat EAM, van Weeren PR, Brommer H. A comparative study of breed differences in the anatomical configuration of the equine vertebral column.. J Anat 2021 Oct;239(4):829-838.
- Dietrich J, Handschuh S, Steidl R, Böhler A, Forstenpointner G, Egerbacher M, Peham C, Schöpper H. Muscle Fibre Architecture of Thoracic and Lumbar Longissimus Dorsi Muscle in the Horse.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 23;11(3).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
- Jones KE, Gonzalez S, Angielczyk KD, Pierce SE. Regionalization of the axial skeleton predates functional adaptation in the forerunners of mammals.. Nat Ecol Evol 2020 Mar;4(3):470-478.
- Jones KE, Angielczyk KD, Pierce SE. Stepwise shifts underlie evolutionary trends in morphological complexity of the mammalian vertebral column.. Nat Commun 2019 Nov 7;10(1):5071.
- Chamoli U, Umali J, Kleuskens MWA, Chepurin D, Diwan AD. Morphological characteristics of the kangaroo lumbar intervertebral discs and comparison with other animal models used in spine research.. Eur Spine J 2020 Apr;29(4):652-662.
- García Liñeiro JA, Graziotti GH, Rodríguez Menéndez JM, Ríos CM, Affricano NO, Victorica CL. Parameters and functional analysis of the deep epaxial muscles in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions of the equine spine.. J Anat 2018 Jul;233(1):55-63.
- Ward CV, Nalley TK, Spoor F, Tafforeau P, Alemseged Z. Thoracic vertebral count and thoracolumbar transition in Australopithecus afarensis.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017 Jun 6;114(23):6000-6004.
- García Liñeiro JA, Graziotti GH, Rodríguez Menéndez JM, Ríos CM, Affricano NO, Victorica CL. Structural and functional characteristics of the thoracolumbar multifidus muscle in horses.. J Anat 2017 Mar;230(3):398-406.
- Jones KE. New insights on equid locomotor evolution from the lumbar region of fossil horses.. Proc Biol Sci 2016 Apr 27;283(1829).
- Gunji M, Endo H. Functional cervicothoracic boundary modified by anatomical shifts in the neck of giraffes.. R Soc Open Sci 2016 Feb;3(2):150604.
- Nowroozi BN, Brainerd EL. Regional variation in the mechanical properties of the vertebral column during lateral bending in Morone saxatilis.. J R Soc Interface 2012 Oct 7;9(75):2667-79.
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