Changes in structure of the facial bones after experimental fracture and displacement of the zygomatic bone in the tufted capuchin (Cebus apella) by means of radiography, the split-line technique, and scanning electron microscopy

The Subchondral Split Line Patterns of the Medial Coronoid Process in Canine Ulnae

The subchondral split line patterns of the canine medial coronoid process (MCP) were compared with fragmentation line patterns of the MCP in case of elbow dysplasia. Split line patterns were determined in paired ulnae from the killed 26 large-breed dogs ranging in age between 0.8 and 15 years and in two ulnae affected by fragmentation of the MCP. The macerated ulnae were degreased with methylene chloride and decalcified in 5% nitric acid. The subchondral bony layer was pierced at right angles in regular intervals using a round needle that was dipped in black liquid acrylic colour. Three main types of split line patterns could be differentiated (i.e. a sagittal type, a transverse type and an intermediate type). In the sagittal type, split lines were aligned in parallel to the lateral border and at right angles to the rim of the tip and medial border of the MCP. In the transverse type, split lines were orientated in a transverse line to both collateral borders. The intermediate type was characterized as a transition type between sagittal and transverse type as the split lines were aligned obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the MCP. These three types corresponded well with the fissure and fragmentation line patterns of the MCP. The present findings strongly suggest an association between split line pattern and type of fragmentation of the MCP.

[Preferential direction of collagen fibrils in the sub-chondral bone bone and the hip and shoulder joint]

We hypothesised that--due to bending and tension--there should exist a preferential direction of the collagen fibrils in the subchondral bone of the concave components of the hip and shoulder joint that results from bicentric or eccentric loading, but there should be no preferential direction in the convex joint partners. We therefore examined 25 human hip and 27 shoulder joints, these being decalcified after maceration. To analyse the preferential direction of the collagen fibrils, we used the split line method. The subchondral plate was pierced at regular intervals with needles that had been previously dipped in diluted ink. In the acetabulum, we found a predominantly transverse direction of the split lines in the ventral and dorsal horn of the lunatic surface, and these usually continued through the acetabular fossa. In the ventral part of the acetabular roof, arch-like orientations of the split lines were observed. In the glenoid cavity, a clearly preferential orientation was found in anterior-posterior direction, usually in the middle third of the articular surface. In the femoral and humeral heads, no preferential direction of the split lines was observed in any of the specimens. We interpret the split-line patterns in the acetabulum as an expression of the tensile stress that is encountered during a "spreading open" of the socket upon bicentric (ventral-dorsal) loading in the physiologically incongruous joint. In the glenoid, the relatively weak bony support in the ventral and dorsal part of the articular surface may be responsible for bending and tensile stress, particularly in view of eccentric loading during dynamic activity, and this could explain the observed anterio-posterior split line pattern. The results support the idea that the subchondral bone of concave joint partners encounters tension, leading to a preferential direction of the collagen fibrils. This can be considered as a functional adaptation of the subchondral bone on a microstructural level.