Study of distribution and morphological characteristics of the trabecular bone in the uncinate process of the cervical spine using micro-computed tomography
2025

Study of distribution and morphological characteristics of the trabecular bone in the uncinate process of the cervical spine using micro-computed tomography

Sample size: 31 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hao Yunteng, Ma Yuan, Zhang Shaojie, Wang Chaoqun, Wang Wei, Li Xiaohe, Gao Shang, Li Kun, Chen Jie, Wang Haiyan, Yang Yang, Gao Mingjie, Wang Jian, Li Zhijun, Shi Jun, Wang Xing

Primary Institution: Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

Hypothesis

The study aimed to observe the distribution of cancellous bone in the cervical uncinate process and its morphological features using micro-computed tomography.

Conclusion

The study found that the cancellous bone of the uncinate process is predominantly longitudinally cross-aligned and continuous with the cancellous bone within the vertebral body, with the C5 uncinate process being the site of most significant stress.

Supporting Evidence

  • The cancellous bone of the uncinate process was found to be continuous with that of the vertebral body.
  • Significant differences were observed in bone surface area between the left and right sides.
  • The C5 uncinate process was identified as the site of most significant stress in the cervical vertebrae.

Takeaway

The study looked at the bones in the neck to see how they change with age and how this might relate to conditions like osteoporosis.

Methodology

Micro-CT scans were performed on 31 sets of C3-C7 vertebrae, totaling 155 intact bone samples, to obtain parameters related to the cancellous bone of the uncinate process.

Limitations

The study did not compare donor age and sex or different parts of the same vertebrae.

Participant Demographics

Adult necropsy specimens from the Human Anatomy Department of Inner Mongolia Medical University.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0315640

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