Variation in the seventh lumbar vertebra and the lumbosacral junction morphometry associated with the sacrocaudal fusion in greyhounds. (20th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ismail, Sa'ad M. Y.; Murray, Christina M.; Stevenson, Mark A.; Hung‐Hsun, Yen; Davies, Helen M. S.
• Is Part Of: Anatomia, histologia, embryologia. Volume 50:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 677
• Publication Date: 2021-04-20
• Subjects: greyhounds -- lumbosacral junction -- sacrocaudal fusion -- sacrum -- seventh lumbar vertebra; Anatomy, Comparative -- Periodicals; Veterinary anatomy -- Periodicals; Veterinary histology -- Periodicals; Veterinary embryology -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12675
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0340-2096

Abstract

Abstract: The lumbosacral joint is where the 7th lumbar vertebra (L.7) articulates within the sacrum. It is a clinically important area in the dog because of its relatively large range of motion. The current study aims to determine the possible differences in the length of the L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction among greyhounds of standard and those of fused sacra, and to determine the potential association of sex, body mass and type of fused sacrum (standard and fused) on the morphology of the L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction. Radiographs of 55 greyhound cadavers were used for radiographing; all radiographic images were stored and measured using X‐ray acquisition software, and then analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression and logistic regression. The results of this study showed a significant increase ( p < .008) in the length of the L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction ( p < .028) in greyhounds with fused sacra comparing with those of standard sacra, but the L.6 length was not significant ( p = .431). Differences have been found in the length of L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction in greyhounds. It was found that in greyhounds, any variation in the sacrum's anatomical features may alter the structure of the surrounding anatomical structures such as the L.7 vertebra and lumbosacral junction.