Morphometric and functional study of the canine atlantoaxial joint

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2019Source: Research in Veterinary ScienceAuthor(s): Bastien Planchamp, Jasmin Bluteau, Michael H. Stoffel, Christina Precht, Fenella Schmidli, Franck ForterreAbstractThe atlantoaxial joint is sporadically affected by instability, in most cases a congenital pathology in young small breed dogs. Causes of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) are variable but are usually attributed to a lack of ligamentous support. The purpose of the present study was to specify the role of the ligamentous structures in the stabilisation of the atlantoaxial joint and to find possible adaptations of the ligaments’ internal structure to their specific function. Five Beagle cadavers were included in this study. Each dog was subjected to a computed tomography (CT) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the upper cervical region. This region was then dissected and the ligamentous structures stabilising the atlantoaxial joint were measured and removed for histological analysis. A ligament to dens ratio (LDR) was established in order to provide a basis for comparison with the measurements taken in other dog breeds. MRI and gross anatomical measurements were very similar, confirming the validity of the results. MRI thus seems reliable for evaluating the ligamentous structures of the canine occipitoatlantoaxial region. The movement exerting the greatest stress on the atlantoaxial ligaments and inducing the greatest distension of the alar ligaments...
Source: Research in Veterinary Science - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research