Topografia vertebromedular de irara (Eira barbara Linnaeus, 1758) / Topographic anatomy of spinal cord in tayra (Eira barbara Linnaeus, 1758)

Um cadáver macho, adulto de irara (Eira barbara) foi cedido pelo Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (Cetas), localizado em Salvador/Bahia, ao Setor de Anatomia Veterinária da Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Trata-se de um mamífero carnívoro que pertence à Família Mustelidae e Subfamília Mustelinae que contém o Gênero Eira, representado apenas pela Espécie Eira barbara. Objetivamos a investigação da topografia vertebromedular do espécime e assim verificar a relação da medula espinal com o canal vertebral; a identificação, origem, emergência e quantificação dos nervos espinhais relacionados com a medula espinal. Pesquisa número 43245-1 autorizada pelo Sistema de Autorização e Informação em Biodiversidade (Sisbio-ICMBio/IBAMA). O exemplar foi fixado em solução de formaldeído a 10% e posteriormente dissecado e radiografado. Foram identificados oito pares de nervos espinhais cervicais, quatorze torácicos e na porção lombossacral da medula espinhal seis nervos espinais lombares, três sacrais e mais de três nervos espinhais caudais. O término da medula espinal ocorreu no nível quinta vértebra lombar. Os oito segmentos medulares cervicais localizaram-se entre a primeira e sétima vértebras cervicais. Os quatorze nervos espinais torácicos originaram-se na porção cranial das vértebras respectivas. Os segmentos medulares lombares, sacrais e caudais restringiram-se à região lombar da coluna vertebral. O deslocamento cranial dos segmentos medulares foi observado no oitavo cervical, terceiro, quarto e quinto lombares e todos os segmentos sacrais e caudais. As informações obtidas poderão ser utilizadas para análises comparativas com as demais espécies e com a adoção de medidas que visem proporcionar o bem-estar animal e a preservação da espécie...

An adult male cadaver of a tayra (Eira barbara) was given by the Center of Triage of Wild Animals (Cetas) in Salvador, Bahia, to the Sector of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciernce at the Federal University of Bahia. Eira barbara is a carnivorous mammal that belongs to the family Mustelidae, subfamily Mustelinae, and is the only species in the genus Eira. The objective of this study was to investigate the vertebro-medullary topography of the specimen and verify the relationship of the spinal chord with the spinal canal, as well as to identify and find the origin, emergence and number of spinal nerves related to the spinal chord. This study was authorized by the Biodiversity Authorization and Information System (Sisbio-ICMBio/IBAMA nr.43245-1). The specimen was fixed in a 10% solution of formaldehyde and then dissected and radiographed. Eight pairs of cervical spinal nerves and fourteen thoracic nerves were identified, as well as, in the lumbosacral portion of the spinal cord, six lumbar spinal nerves, three sacral, and more than three caudal spinal nerves. The end of the spinal chord was at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The eight cervical medullary segments were found between the first and seventh cervical vertebrae. The fourteen thoracic spinal nerves originated in the cranial portion of the respective vertebrae. The medullary lumbar, sacral and caudal segments were found in the lumbar region of the backbone. The cranial displacement of the medullary segments was observed in the 8th cervical, 3rd, 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae and all of the sacral and caudal segments. The information obtained could be used for comparative analyses with other species, to better understand the animal and for the preservation of the species...

A comparative analysis of surface areas and ratio of the cervical spinal cord and the vertebral canal at the same levels via MRI on healthy individuals / Análisis comparativo de las áreas de superficie y proporción de la médula espinal cervical y el canal vertebral en los mismos niveles via resonancia magnética en individuos sanos

The determination of the normal values of the cross-sectional surface areas and ratios of the vertebral canal and the spinal cord on the healthy individuals is of great importance with regards to the fact that it provides convenience for the doctors to make correct pathological diagnosis because of the most suitable treatment. In this study, it has been aimed to determine the respective ratios between the vertebral canal and the spinal cord via measuring their cross-sectional surface areas at the C3­C6 vertebra levels. The study has been implemented on the Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) of the cervical vertebral column from healthy individuals at the Department of Radiology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University. The study has been applied to 67 (50 female-17 male) individuals whose ages varied between 14 and 59 and these individuals have been divided into two groups as below and over 40 years of age. During the cervical MRI examination, axial and sagittal images have been evaluated and measurements have been made on the non-pathological axial images. The vertebral canal and the spinal cord surface areas have been calculated in square millimeters at the C3­C6 levels. Also, we calculated the ratio between the spinal cord surface area and the vertebral canal surface area. The obtained data has been transferred on the computer and statistical analysis has been implemented via SPSS package program (for Windows, 15.0). The summary of the data has been stated as Mean±SD. It has also been compared with regard to sex and age groups (below and over 40 years of age) using the Student t-test. The relationship between parameters has been evaluated by means of Pearson correlation test. No significant discrepancy (P>0.05) has been determined between the male and the female subjects in terms of the vertebral canal and spinal cord surface area values. On the other hand, at the C4, C5 and C6 levels, a significant discrepancy (P<0.05) has been observed between male and female subjects in terms of the ratio of spinal cord surface to the vertebral canal surface, stating that the male have it larger than the female. A positive correlation (P<0.01) between the surface area and ratio data of both sexes has been determined. We believe that the results of this study will be useful for the fields of neurology, neurosurgery and physical therapy and rehabilitation, particularly in evaluating spinal atrophy.

La determinación de los valores normales de las áreas de superficie de la sección transversal y las proporciones del canal vertebral de la médula espinal en los individuos sanos es de gran importancia para los médicos, para realizar un diagnóstico patológico correcto y un tratamiento más adecuado. Este estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar las respectivas proporciones entre el canal vertebral y la médula espinal a través de la medición transversal de áreas de superficie, entre los niveles de las vértebras C3­C6. El estudio se realizó através de imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) de la columna vertebral cervical de individuos sanos en el Departamento de Radiología, de la Facultad de Medicina de Meram, Universidad de Necmettin Erbakan. En el estudio participaron 67 sujetos (50 mujeres, 17 hombres) entre 14 y 59 años de edad. Los sujetos fueron divididos en dos grupos, menores y mayores de 40 años de edad. Durante el examen de IRM cervical, se evaluaron imágenes axiales y sagitales, estas mediciones se realizaron en las imágenes axiales no patológicas. El canal vertebral y las áreas de superficie de la médula espinal fueron calculados en milímetros cuadrados entre los niveles C3­C6. Además, se calculó el cociente entre el área de superficie de la médula espinal y la superficie del canal vertebral. Los datos obtenidos de superficie del canal vertebral, fueron transferidos al equipo y el análisis estadístico se implementó a través del programa SPSS (para Windows, 15.0). El resumen de los datos fue declarado como Media±DE. También fueron comparados grupos entre ambos sexos y por edad (menores y mayores de 40 años de edad) através de la prueba t de Student. La relación entre los parámetros fue evaluada mediante la prueba de correlación de Pearson. No se observó discrepancia significativa (P>0,05) entre hombres y mujeres en términos del canal vertebral, y los valores de la columna vertebral de la zona de superficie dorsal. Por otro lado, a nivel C4, C5 y C6, se observó una discrepancia significativa (P<0,05) entre hombres y mujeres, en términos de la proporción de la superficie de la médula espinal y la superficie del canal vertebral, indicando que fue mayor en los hombres. Se determinó una correlación positiva (P<0,01) entre el área de superficie y los datos de proporción de ambos sexos. Creemos que los resultados de este estudio serán de utilidad en las áreas de la neurología, neurocirugía, como también en terapia física y rehabilitación, en particular en la evaluación de la atrofia espinal.

Computed tomographic evaluation of cervical vertebral canal and spinal cord morphometry in normal dogs

The height, width, and cross-sectional area of the vertebral canal and spinal cord along with the area ratio of spinal cord to vertebral canal in the cervical vertebra were evaluated in images obtained using computed tomography (CT). Measurements were taken at the cranial, middle, and caudal point of each cervical vertebra in eight clinically normal small breed dogs (two shih tzu, two miniature schnauzers, and four mixed breed), 10 beagles, and four German shepherds. CT myelography facilitated the delineation of the epidural space, subarachnoid space, and spinal cord except at the caudal portion of the 7th cervical vertebra. The spinal cord had a tendency to have a clear ventral border in the middle portion of the vertebral canal and lateral borders near both end plates. The height, width, and area of the vertebral canal and spinal cord in the cervical vertebra were increased as the size of dog increased. However, the ratio of the spinal cord area to vertebral canal area in the small dogs was higher than that of the larger dogs. Results of the present study could provide basic and quantitative information for CT evaluation of pathologic lesions in the cervical vertebra and spinal cord.

Changes in Spinal Canal Diameter and Vertebral Body Height with Age

PURPOSE: All structures of the spine, including the spinal canal, change continuously with age. The purpose of this study was to determine how the spinal canal of the lumbar spine changes with age. The L4/5 is the most common site of spinal stenosis and has the largest flexion-extension motion, whereas the T5/6 has the least motion. Therefore, we measured the spinal canal diameter and vertebral body height at T5, T6, L4, and L5 with age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of aged 40 to 77 years. We reviewed whole spine sagittal MRIs of 370 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (Group 2) and 166 herniated cervical disc (HCD) (Group 1). Each group was divided into four age groups, and demographic parameters (age, gender, height, weight, BMI), the mid-spinal canal diameter, and mid-vertebrae height at T5, T6, L4, L5 were compared. Within- and between-group comparisons were made to evaluate changes by age and correlations were carried out to evaluate the relationships between all parameters. RESULTS: Height, weight, and all radiologic parameters were significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1. Group 1 did not show any differences, when based on age, but in Group 2, height, weight, and T6, L4, and L5 height were significantly decreased in patients in their 70's than patients in their 40's, except for spinal canal diameter. Age was associated with all parameters except spinal canal diameter. CONCLUSION: Vertebral height decreased with age, but spinal canal diameter did not change in patients with either LSS or HCD. Mid-spinal canal diameter was not affected by aging.

Conducto Central Medular: Estudio morfológico -morfométrico: macro y microscópico / Central Medullary Conduit: Morphologic-morphometric study: macro and microscopic ones

Esta investigación se realizó en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba entre los años 2001 y 2007. Trabajamos en 50 especímenes cadavéricos (10 embrionarios, 20 fetales y 20 seniles) con el objeto de favorecer el conocimiento anatómico – fisiológico del CCM y contribuir con las disciplinas imagenológicas en el diagnóstico precoz de las patologías mielocavitarias y tumorales de la region. En los especímenes embrionarios, debido al pequeño tamaño y a la inmadurez anatómica, no pudimos realizar las disecciones del sistema nervioso a pesar de usar magnificación (lupa 5X; microscopio quirúrgico). En los especímenes fetales (EF) y seniles, luego de las disecciones realizamos tinción directa del CCM con tinta azul, y Resonancia Magnética y/o Ependimografía. Posteriormente, investigamos al CCM con métodos histológicos en cortes axiales medulares a nivel cervical alto, intumescencia cervicalis, dorsal, intumescencia lumbaris y en conus medullaris (CM). En el Filum terminale los cortes fueron realizados a 5 mm del CM en los EF y a 5 y 10 mm en los especímenes seniles. Comprobamos: El método histológico fue el más útil para estudiar al CCM. En los EF el CCM presentó signos de permeabilidad en el 100% de los casos.En los especímenes seniles el CCM tuvo signos de oclusión en el 80% de los cortes. Conclusiones: El CCM es una estructura anatómica normal, - su límite superior es el Óbex y el inferior se encuentra en el CM, - está permeable en la etapa fetal y obstruido en la edad senil por proliferación neuroglial, - su estudio in vivo en humanos es muy difícil; en EF y seniles “se continúa” en el Filum terminale intradural.

Study of lumbar vertebral canal in Pakistanis and comparison with other races

An osteometric study of the anteroposterior diameter of the lumbar vertebral canal of normal adult Pakistani males and comparison to Nigerians was done. Fifty complete sets of adult male lumbar vertebra were studied. In Pakistani the mean sagittal diameter was narrow at the level of L1, L3, L4 and wider at L2 and L5. The canal body ratio was maintained at 0.5 at all levels. Inferior vertebral notch maintained its ratio at 0.3 at all levels except at L2 it was 0.4. The diameter of vertebral canal is narrow in Pakistanis as compared to Nigerians

Morphometric study of the lumbar vertebral canal in the normal adult Pakistanis

1. To determine the normal values of the midsagittal diameters of the canal and body of lumbar vertebrae in Pakistanis. 2. To find out the relationship between the midsagittal diameters of the vertebral canal and the vertebral body at all lumbar levels. 3. To determine the anteroposterior diameter of inferior vertebral notch and to find out its ratio with the vertebral body. STUDY DESIGN: the anatomic dimensions of the vertebral body and spinal canal of the lumbar vertebral were analysed in Pakistanis. SETTING: Department of Anatomy Nishtar Medical College, Multan. PERIOD: June 1993 to December 1996. MATERIALS AND METHODS :one thousand five hundred measurements were performed on the midsagittal diameters of vertebral bodies, spinal canals and anteroposterior diameters of inferior vertebrae notches using complete sets of 75 lumbar vertebral. The mean midsagittal diameters of the lumber spinal canal in the Pakistani Population was less than that of South African and Nigerian population while the anteroposterior diameter of inferior vertebral notch was slightly greater then that of Nigerians. the midsagittal diameter of the lumbar spinal canal is narrowest in the East Asian population; the radiologic criteria of spinal stenosis should be reconsidered for these people

The shape of the human lumbar vertebral canal

Literature on the anatomy of the human vertebral column characterizes the shape of the lumbar vertebral canal as triangular. The purpose of the present study was to determine the precise shape of the lumbar vertebral canal. Ten lumbar vertebral columns of adult male cadavers were dissected. Two transverse sections were performed in the third lumbar vertebra. One section was performed at the level of the lower border of the ligamenta flava, and the other section was performed at the level of the pedicles. The shape of the lumbar vertebral canal at the level of the pedicles tends to be oval or circular, whereas the shape of the lumbar vertebral canal at the level of the lower border of the ligamenta flava is triangular. Thus, the shape of the human lumbar vertebral canal is not exclusively triangular, as reported in the literature. It is related to the level of the transversal section performed on the lumbar vertebra. This finding should be taken into consideration among factors involved in the spread of solutions introduced into the epidural space.

Canal estrecho lumbar / Lumbar spinal stenosis: diagnostic imaging

El proceso degenerativo del raquis lumbar es la causa principal de un trastorno clínico denominado Síndrome del canal estrecho lumbar. Varias hipótesis tratan de explicar este síndrome: la teoría postural y la teoría vascular-isquémica, aunque ambas pueden correlacionarse. Los síntomas y signos del canal estrecho son más frecuentes entre la sexta y octava década de vida, afectando a ambos sexos. El diagnóstico por imágenes juega un importante rol e incluye radiografías simples estáticas, TC, RM y la radiculografía dinámica. El canal estrecho puede ser central o de los recesos laterales y afecta con mayor frecuencia al cuarto espacio. Puede ser monofocal o polifocal. Su tratamiento es sintomático o quirúrgico, dependiendo de la gravedad de la estenosis y del cuadro neurológico. La casuística que presentamos corresponde a un período de 20 años con 150 pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente

Mid-sagittal canal diameter and vertebral body/canal ratio of the cervical spine in Koreans

In order to ascertain the normal values of the mid-sagittal canal diameter and the canal/body ratio of the cervical spine in Korean adults, ninety sets of cervical vertebral columns were examined. The average mid-sagittal canal diameters from C3 through C7 in the normal Korean are 13.2 +/- 1.3 millimeters in male and 13.1 +/- 2.6 millimeters in female. The normal average canal/body ratio of the cervical spine is 0.93 +/- 0.10 in male and 1.02 +/- 0.09 in female. The mid-sagittal canal diameter is largest in the White population and smallest in Asian, but there is no racial differences in the canal/body ratio, and the lower limit of normal canal/body ratio is 0.8 in Korean. The authors conclude that measurement of the canal/body ratio is more reliable than direct measuring of the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal in the diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or predicting the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury.