H comparative anatomy of the baboon and the human cervical spine

Study Design. The anatomy of balloon and human cervical spines were compared by measuring adult cadaveric specimens. Objective. The objective of the study was to compare human and baboon cervical motion segments "to determine whether the baboon provides a suitable model for spina,' research. Summary of Background Data, Several studies have examined the quantitative anatomy of the human cervical bohe3 and ligaments. Several animal species have been used for cervical spine research; however, no studies have validated whether the animal models resemble the human cervical spine closely enough to provide genera livable data, Methods, Multiple morphologic parameters-were measured directly from nine baboon and six human adult cadaveric cervical spine specimens. The hone Structure and geometry of each of the seven cervical vertebrae ware analyzed; the structure and histology of the ligaments wore measured; and histomorphometry of the vertebrae was performed. Results. The architectural composition and geometry of individual cervical vertebrae of baboons and humans were similar at each level, The proportional relationship of bDne and ligament structures in the two Species was almost identical. There were, however, several differences: 1J The baboon spine was about half the siie of the human spine; 2) its vertebral Brteries were encased fully within the Cf lateral mass; 3) its uncovertebral joints were more prominant; 4) its vertebral endplates were more concave; 5)its pedicles were thinner; its transverse processes were longer; and 71 its spinous processes were horizontal and nonbifid Conclusions. The geometry and anatomy of the baboon cervical spine closely resemble that of the human cervical spine. It therefore provides an excellent model for in vivo and In vitro research.