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Histomorphometry of the Elderly Rib: A methodological approach with implications for biomechanics, function, and fracture risk

Agnew, Amanda Marie

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Anthropology.
The purpose of this study is to characterize the variable microstructure of the elderly human rib in an attempt to elucidate its contributions to biomechanical adaptive responses and fragility. Histological sections were made from Basic Fuchsin stained bilateral 6th ribs from 10 elderly post-mortem human subjects (PMHS). Percent Porosity Area (% Po.Ar), mean Osteon Area (On.Ar), mean Crack Length (Cr.Le), Crack Density (Cr.Dn), and Crack Surface Density (Cr.S.Dn) were successfully quantified and analyzed. ANOVA results indicate that all variables show significant inter-individual variation, but no significant bilateral variation within individuals. Subject variation could contribute to differential individual fragility. Paired t-tests revealed cortex differences for these variables (most are significant) between compressive and tensile cortices in a presumed cyclic bending loading pattern in the rib. These findings can contribute to interpretations about loading history and mechanical adaptation as well as bone behavior prior to failure. A methodological investigation into microfracture data collection showed significant differences between a “total” dataset and a “sampled” dataset. Therefore, it is recommended that only microfracture data collected from the entire rib cortex be utilized in future studies until a more representative sampling method can be developed. This study should prompt investigators to incorporate a histological perspective into interpretations as to why and how bone failure may occur and what contributes to fracture risk in the elderly rib in both modern and past populations.
Samuel Stout, PhD (Advisor)
Clark Spencer Larsen, PhD (Committee Member)
Paul Sciulli, PhD (Committee Member)
Kenneth Jones, PhD (Committee Member)
187 p.

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Citations

  • Agnew, A. M. (2011). Histomorphometry of the Elderly Rib: A methodological approach with implications for biomechanics, function, and fracture risk [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1305558389

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Agnew, Amanda. Histomorphometry of the Elderly Rib: A methodological approach with implications for biomechanics, function, and fracture risk. 2011. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1305558389.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Agnew, Amanda. "Histomorphometry of the Elderly Rib: A methodological approach with implications for biomechanics, function, and fracture risk." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1305558389

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)