Academic literature on the topic 'Spine - Anatomy'

Dendritic spines are the major site of excitatory synapses in cortex, and factors that reduce dendritic spine numbers will produce serious cortical processing deficits, such as has been demonstrated for mental retardation and other psychiatric disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure also has detrimental effects on brain development that lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which results in reduction of dendritic spine numbers in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and somatosensory cortex. FASD also is associated with temporal processing disorders involving sequential auditory stimuli that would be processed in auditory cortical areas. However, it is unknown if the reduction of spine density following prenatal alcohol exposure occurs at auditory cortex, or is generally reduced across the different sensory cortices. This present study examined that question. Young adult ferrets (176 days old, 1 male, 1 female), that were exposed to alcohol during the equivalent of third-trimester development, were used to prepare Golgi-Cox stained sections through primary auditory cortex (A1). Other cortical regions examined included primary somatosensory (S1), and higher-level multisensory cortices of lateral rostral suprasylvian (LRSS) and rostral posterior parietal (PPr) areas. Control values from normal animals (n=3) were derived from a previous study. The results of this present study demonstrated that, dendritic spine density was significantly (Student's t-test, P < 0.05) lower in the alcohol treated group than in normal controls in all the cortical regions examined. These data indicate that although reduced spine density in auditory cortex may underlie temporal processing disorders in FASD, pre-natal alcohol exposure has widespread consequences for sensory cortical processing in general.

In the brain, the dendritic spine is a point of information exchange that extends the neuronal surface on which synapses occur, as well as facilitates and stabilizes those contacts. Furthermore, dendritic spines dynamically change in shape and number in response to a variety of factors. Dendritic spine numbers are reduced in mental retardation, enhanced during development, sensory enrichment or physical exercise, or fluctuate during the reproductive cycle. Thus, for a given neuron type, it might be expected that dendritic spine number might achieve a dynamic optimum. Indeed, many studies of spine density of pyramidal neurons in sensory cortex indicate that an average of ~1.4 spines/micron occurs is present (Briner et al., 2010). Most such studies examined dendritic spines from primary sensory areas which are dominated by inputs from a single sensory modality. However, there are a large number of neural regions that receive inputs from more than one sensory modality and it is hypothesized that spine density should increase to accommodate these additional inputs. To test this hypothesis, the present experiments used Golgi-Cox stained layer 2-3 pyramidal neurons from ferret primary somatosensory (S1) and auditory (A1) cortical regions, as well as from the higher-level rostral posterior parietal (PPr) and lateral rostral suprasylvian (LRSS) multisensory areas. Spine densities in S1 (avg 1.309 ± 0.247 spines/micron) and A1 (avg 1.343 ± 0.273 spines/micron) were measured to be significantly greater (p<0.05, t-test) than those observed in multisensory regions PPr (avg 1.242 ± 0.205 spines/micron) or LRSS (avg 1.099 ± 0.217 spines/micron). These results also indicate that spine densities are greater in primary (S1, A1) than in higher-level (PPr, LRSS) sensory areas. The functional consequences of such unexpected findings are discussed in light of potential biophysical differences between unisensory and multisensory neurons.

Orientador: Luiz Carlos Vulcano<br>Resumo: O tatu-galinha é um dos animais mais populosos da ordem Xenarthra com distribuição do sul dos Estados Unidos até a América do Sul. São animais frequentemente caçados e, em muitos casos, são vítimas de atropelamentos rodoviários. Existem diversos estudos descritivos sobre a fisiologia, a genética e o comportamento, porém a anatomia óssea e articular destes animais ainda é restrita. Este estudo tem por objetivo, descrever a anatomia das estruturas osteoarticulares do esqueleto axial em 20 tatus-galinhas, vivos e carcaças, por meio da radiografia digital e da tomografia computadorizada propiciando informações mais detalhadas da anatomia esquelética desta espécie. Os resultados obtidos são descritivos e detalhados de cada estrutura; sendo observado processos complementares xenartros nas vértebras torácicas caudais até a última vértebra lombar, com proeminentes processos mamilares no segmento toracolombar, vértebras cervicais fusionadas da segunda à quarta vértebras e a presença de sinsacro correspondendo as vértebras sacrais e caudais fusionadas à pelve. A fórmula vertebral obtida nessa amostra de espécimes foi de sete cervicais, dez torácicas, cinco lombares, nove vértebras representando o sinsacro e de 20 a 27 vértebras caudais livres. São animais homodontes apresentando somente dentes molariformes com oito em cada lado do ramo mandibular/maxilar, totalizando 32 dentes. Tais características peculiares do tatu-galinha em relação à coluna vertebral e à dentição foram acreditadas ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)<br>Abstract: Nine-banded armadillo is the most populous of the Xenarthra order with its distribution from southern United States to the South America. The main causes of death for the nine-banded armadillo are hunting and being run over by vehicles. There are several descriptive studies with its physiology, genetic and behavior, but about osseous and joint anatomy of these animals still limited. The aim of this study is to describe the osteoarticular structures anatomy of the axial skeleton in 20 nine-banded armadillos in vivo and carcasses by means of digital radiography and computed tomography providing more detailed information of the skeletal anatomy of this species. Results are descriptive and detailed for each structure, observing xenarthrous complementary processes in the caudal thoracic vertebra to the last lumbar vertebra, with prominent mamillary processes in the thoracolumbar segment, fused cervical vertebra from the second to fourth vertebra, and the presence of synsacrum related to sacral and caudal vertebra fused to the pelvis. Vertebral formula obtained in this sample specimens was 7 cervical, 10 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 9 vertebrae related to the synsacrum, and 20-27 free caudal vertebrae. They are homodont animals presenting only molariform teeth with formula of 8/8, totaling 32 teeth. Such peculiar features of the nine-banded armadillo regarding to the vertebral column and teeth were wondering to be habits adaptations to digging and rolling, and the omnivorous diet, respectiv... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)<br>Mestre

Neuroplasticity has been researched in many different ways, from the growing neonatal brain to neural responses to trauma and injury. According to recent research, neuroplasticity is also prevalent in the ability of the brain to repurpose areas that are not of use, like in the case of a loss of a sense. Specifically, behavioral studies have shown that deaf humans (Bavalier and Neville, 2002) and cats have increased visual ability, and that different areas of the auditory cortex enhance specific kinds of sight. One such behavioral test demonstrated that the dorsal zone (DZ) of the auditory cortex enhances sensitivity to visual motion through cross-modal plasticity (Lomber et. al., 2010). Current research seeks to examine the anatomical structures responsible for these changes through analysis of excitatory neuron dendritic spine density and spine head diameter. This present study focuses on the examination of DZ neuron spine density, distribution, and size in deaf and hearing cats to corroborate the visual changes seen in behavioral studies. Using Golgi-stained tissue and light microscopy, our results showed a decrease in overall spine density but slight increase in spine head diameter in deaf cats compared to hearing cats. These results, along with several other studies, support multiple theories on how cross-modal reorganization of the auditory cortex occurs after deafening

A inserção do parafuso pedicular cervical é um procedimento cirúrgico tecnicamente desafiador. Assim, o amplo conhecimento da morfologia das vértebras cervicais, particularmente do pedículo, é essencial para minimizar o risco de ferimentos graves a estruturas neurovasculares. O objetivo deste estudo foi conduzir uma avaliação detalhada de exames de tomografia computadorizada (TC) na população brasileira do ponto de entrada, trajetória, e dimensões dos pedículos da coluna cervical. Duzentos pacientes consecutivos foram retrospectivamente avaliados utilizando a TC da coluna cervical, com a reconstrução da imagem de cada vértebra no plano axial com 2 mm, e no plano sagital com 3 mm. Os parâmetros no plano axial incluíram a espessura pedicular (EP), o comprimento pedicular axial (CPA), o ângulo pedicular transverso (APT) e a distância do ponto de entrada ao ângulo entre a lâmina e o processo espinhoso (DPE). As medidas no plano sagital envolveram a altura pedicular (AP) e o ângulo pedicular sagital (APS). A EP e AP média são menores nos pacientes do sexo feminino do que nos pacientes do sexo masculino em todas as vertebras cervicais, porém não houve diferença significativa do APT entre os sexos. O APS variou de 15,2° a 23,7°. Os valores médios do CPA e DPE apresentaram uma tendência a diminuir de proximal para distal na coluna cervical. A EP encontrada foi menor que 4 mm em 7,5% dos pacientes do sexo masculino (C3) e em 25% dos pacientes do sexo feminino (C3), e menores que 4,5 mm em 20% dos pacientes do sexo masculino (C3) e em 66% dos pacientes do sexo feminino (C3). A confiabilidade intra e interobservador foram muito boas para a medida tomográfica da EP, e boa para a AP. Para o CPA, a confiabilidade intraobservador foi boa, porém a confiabilidade interobservador variou de moderada a boa. Considerando o APT e APS, a confiabilidade intraobservador foi boa, mas a confiabilidade interobservador moderada para o APT e fraca para o APS. As medidas do DPE evidenciaram fraca confiabilidade intraobservador e fraca ou moderada confiabilidade interobservador. Nossos resultados apresentaram tendência similar aos de estudos prévios, no entanto a frequência de pacientes com a EP < 4,5 mm em nossa população é maior, sugerindo um risco aumentado durante a tentativa de realizar a técnica transpedicular<br>Pedicular screw insertion is a technically challenged surgical procedure. Thus, extensive knowledge of the morphology of the cervical vertebra, primarily the pedicle, is crucial to reduce severe damage to neurovascular structures. The goal of this study was to conduct a detailed computed tomography (CT) assessment in the Brazilian population of the screw starting point, trajectory, and dimensions of pedicle in the cervical spine. Two hundred consecutive patients were retrospectively evaluated using cervical spine CT, with imaging reconstruction of each cervical vertebra in the axial plane with 2mm, and in sagittal reconstructions with 3mm. Parameters in axial plane included the pedicle width (PW), pedicle axis length (PAL), pedicle transverse angle (PTA), and the distance from the entry point to the point between the lamina and spinous process (DEP). Measurements in the sagittal plane involved the pedicle height (PH) and the pedicle sagittal angle (PSA). The mean PW and PH were smaller in females than in males in all cervical vertebrae, but there were no significant differences of PTA among genders. PSA ranged from 15.2° to 23.7°. Mean values of PAL and DEP had a tendency to decrease from the proximal to distal cervical vertebrae. PW was <4 mm in 7.5% of men (C3) and 25% of women (C3), and <4.5 mm in 20% (C3 male) and 66% (C3 female). The intra- and inter-observer reliability were very good for the tomographic measurement of PW, and good for PH. For PAL, the intraobserver reliability was good, but the interobserver reliability varied from moderate to good. Considering PTA and PSA, the intraobserver reliability was good, but the interobserver reliability moderate for PTA and poor or fair for PSA. DEP measurements showed poor intraobserver reliability, and poor or moderate interobserver reliability. Our results presented similar trend of previous studies, but the frequency of patients with PW <4.5 mm in our population is higher, suggesting an increased risk during the attempting of transpedicular screw technique

Submitted by LIDIANE DA SILVA ALVES null (lidianealves.vet@gmail.com) on 2016-02-25T17:12:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Mestrado-Lidiane da Silva Alves (2016).pdf: 2389276 bytes, checksum: 82223cfe2578f153495242674318b624 (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-02-26T14:57:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 alves_ls_me_bot.pdf: 2389276 bytes, checksum: 82223cfe2578f153495242674318b624 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T14:57:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 alves_ls_me_bot.pdf: 2389276 bytes, checksum: 82223cfe2578f153495242674318b624 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-01<br>Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)<br>O tatu-galinha é um dos animais mais populosos da ordem Xenarthra com distribuição do sul dos Estados Unidos até a América do Sul. São animais frequentemente caçados e, em muitos casos, são vítimas de atropelamentos rodoviários. Existem diversos estudos descritivos sobre a fisiologia, a genética e o comportamento, porém a anatomia óssea e articular destes animais ainda é restrita. Este estudo tem por objetivo, descrever a anatomia das estruturas osteoarticulares do esqueleto axial em 20 tatus-galinhas, vivos e carcaças, por meio da radiografia digital e da tomografia computadorizada propiciando informações mais detalhadas da anatomia esquelética desta espécie. Os resultados obtidos são descritivos e detalhados de cada estrutura; sendo observado processos complementares xenartros nas vértebras torácicas caudais até a última vértebra lombar, com proeminentes processos mamilares no segmento toracolombar, vértebras cervicais fusionadas da segunda à quarta vértebras e a presença de sinsacro correspondendo as vértebras sacrais e caudais fusionadas à pelve. A fórmula vertebral obtida nessa amostra de espécimes foi de sete cervicais, dez torácicas, cinco lombares, nove vértebras representando o sinsacro e de 20 a 27 vértebras caudais livres. São animais homodontes apresentando somente dentes molariformes com oito em cada lado do ramo mandibular/maxilar, totalizando 32 dentes. Tais características peculiares do tatu-galinha em relação à coluna vertebral e à dentição foram acreditadas a adaptações de hábitos de escavar e de rolar, e de sua alimentação onívora, respectivamente.<br>Nine-banded armadillo is the most populous of the Xenarthra order with its distribution from southern United States to the South America. The main causes of death for the nine-banded armadillo are hunting and being run over by vehicles. There are several descriptive studies with its physiology, genetic and behavior, but about osseous and joint anatomy of these animals still limited. The aim of this study is to describe the osteoarticular structures anatomy of the axial skeleton in 20 nine-banded armadillos in vivo and carcasses by means of digital radiography and computed tomography providing more detailed information of the skeletal anatomy of this species. Results are descriptive and detailed for each structure, observing xenarthrous complementary processes in the caudal thoracic vertebra to the last lumbar vertebra, with prominent mamillary processes in the thoracolumbar segment, fused cervical vertebra from the second to fourth vertebra, and the presence of synsacrum related to sacral and caudal vertebra fused to the pelvis. Vertebral formula obtained in this sample specimens was 7 cervical, 10 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 9 vertebrae related to the synsacrum, and 20-27 free caudal vertebrae. They are homodont animals presenting only molariform teeth with formula of 8/8, totaling 32 teeth. Such peculiar features of the nine-banded armadillo regarding to the vertebral column and teeth were wondering to be habits adaptations to digging and rolling, and the omnivorous diet, respectively.<br>CNPq: 133373/2015-0

The thoracolumbar transversospinal muscles are vital in normal function and are implicated in the pathogenesis of different forms of spinal pathology and pain. They are the target for specific forms of clinical intervention such as exercise regimens and the release of �trigger points�, and are often analysed through imaging studies and electromyographic recordings. Despite the importance of these muscles, there is a paucity of knowledge in regard to aspects of their functional morphology. The aim of this thesis was to examine the thoracolumbar transversospinal muscles between the mid-thoracic spine and sacrum, examining their gross morphology, fibre arrangement, fibre types, and an animal model in order to provide a better understanding of their functional morphology. The gross morphology of these muscles was studied by micro-dissection of cadaveric material. Their form was found to differ from that published in either text book or peer reviewed articles, clearly indicating the existence of a �semispinalis� muscle in the lumbar spine. In addition, the arrangement of these muscles was found to be homologous between the thoracic and lumbar regions, which is contrary to published descriptions. Arrangement of the muscle fibres was examined by identifying motor endplates with acetylcholinesterase histochemistry in all muscles throughout the area of interest. Only one endplate per fibre was observed, and no in-series fibres were found. All muscles showed a complex multipinnate form with large areas of muscle tendon intruding into each muscle. Fibre type proportions in each muscle were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results indicate the percentage of total muscle area occupied by type I fibres decreased the more caudad the vertebral level of origin, for all muscles. There were significant differences in the area percentage of type I fibres between many different vertebral levels. These differences were mostly found between the most cranial and most caudal levels examined. The percentage of type I fibres recorded suggest all muscles are likely postural in function, and the gradual decrease in type I fibres and the lack of a distinct thoracic / lumbar boundary in the data suggests the thoracic and lumbar transversospinal muscles are homologous. The thoracolumbar transversospinal muscles of the MLC3F nlacZ transgenic mouse were micro-dissected to determine their morphology, and their fibre arrangement subsequently determined using acetylcholinesterase histochemistry. These muscles showed a homogeneous form throughout the thoracolumbar spine, and no in-series muscle fibres were observed with all muscles having one motor endplate per fibre. Results indicated similarities between the morphology of mouse and human transversospinal muscles, perhaps indicative of an adaptation to an upright posture. This thesis provides information that facilitates a more complete understanding of the morphology and function of the thoracolumbar transversospinal muscles. In addition, results indicate that these muscles are homologous through the thoracic and lumbar spine, and therefore the classification and nomenclature used to describe these muscles should be re-examined. Furthermore, the morphological evidence, combined with recent embryological studies, supports the use of the term �spinotransverse� to more accurately describe this muscle group.