Three-dimensional anatomy of the equine sternum.
Abstract: The sternum is a frequently used anatomical site to obtain bone marrow for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in equine medicine and surgery. For a safe and reproducible aspiration of sternal bone marrow, a reliable anatomical description of the sternum is mandatory. However, the anatomical literature provides very heterogeneous information concerning the structure and number of sternebrae. Isolated sterna (horses of different ages) underwent clinical computed tomography, and single sternebrae were scanned by microcomputed tomography. Data sets were analysed in detail, the dimensions of each sternebra were determined, and correlations to the age and weight were generated. A uniform arrangement of seven sternebrae within the equine sternum was obtained, whereas the 6th and 7th sternebrae were fused in all sterna. The cranial sternebrae (sternebrae 1-3) had a lentiform shape with flattened lateral sides, while the caudal sternebrae (6 and 7) were flattened dorso-ventrally. In contrast, sternebrae 4 and 5 were spherical. The single sternebrae were well demarcated to the chondral sternum and showed two different zones. The periphery consisted of radiodense woven tissue, while in the centre the radiodense tissue was loosely arranged and contained large cavities with radiolucent tissue. A thin lamina (substantia corticalis) of <1 mm was arranged around the peripheral zone. There was no correlation between the body weight and the dimensions of the sternebrae, but there was a positive correlation to the age of the horses. The obtained data provide a sufficient basis to establish a standard nomenclature of the equine sternum.
© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2014-04-09 PubMed ID: 24712337DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12114Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates and provides a detailed anatomical description of the equine sternum. The accurate information on the structure and number of sternebrae aids in conducting safe and reproducible aspiration of sternal bone marrow, which is often used in equine medicine and surgery.
Methodology
- The study involved dissecting isolated sterna (sternums) from horses of different ages and using clinical computed tomography to scan them.
- Each sternebrae, part of the sternum, was also scanned using microcomputed tomography.
- The acquired data sets were thoroughly analyzed, the dimensions of each sternebrae were determined, and correlations were drawn to the horse’s age and weight.
Findings
- There was a consistent pattern of seven sternebrae within the equine sternum, with the 6th and 7th always being fused together.
- The shape of the sternebrae differed with location – the cranial sternebrae (1-3) were lentiform, i.e., lens-shaped, with flattened lateral sides, whereas the caudal sternebrae (6 and 7) were dorso-ventrally flattened. Sternebrae 4 and 5 were spherical in shape.
- Each sternebrae was clearly demarcated and included two different zones – the periphery with radiodense woven tissue and the center where the tissue was loosely arranged containing large cavities with radiolucent tissue. There was also a thin layer, less than 1mm, around the peripheral zone known as substantia corticalis.
- No correlation was found between the body weight of the horse and the dimensions of the sternebrae. However, a positive correlation was observed with the age of the horse.
Conclusions
- The results established a detailed anatomical description of the equine sternum.
- This data can be used as a foundation to create a standard nomenclature for the equine sternum, providing reliable information for diagnostics and therapeutics in equine medicine and surgery, especially in sternum-based procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Eydt C, Schröck C, Geburek F, Rohn K, Staszyk C, Pfarrer C.
(2014).
Three-dimensional anatomy of the equine sternum.
Anat Histol Embryol, 44(2), 99-106.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ahe.12114 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173, Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Imaging, Three-Dimensional
- Models, Anatomic
- Sternum / anatomy & histology
- Sternum / diagnostic imaging
- X-Ray Microtomography
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Schröck C, Eydt C, Geburek F, Kaiser L, Päbst F, Burk J, Pfarrer C, Staszyk C. Bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from horses after euthanasia. Vet Med Sci 2017 Nov;3(4):239-251.
- Eydt C, Geburek F, Schröck C, Hambruch N, Rohn K, Pfarrer C, Staszyk C. Sternal bone marrow derived equine multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs): investigations considering the sampling site and the use of different culture media. Vet Med Sci 2016 Aug;2(3):200-210.
- Wang Y, Wu K, Gan X, Ouyang Q, Wu Q, Liu H, Hu S, Han C, Zhang R, Hu J, Wang J, Li L. The pattern of duck sternal ossification and the changes of histological structure and gene expression therein. Poult Sci 2021 Jul;100(7):101112.
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