Computed Tomographic and Morphometric Study of Cervical Vertebrae in Healthy White New Zealand Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, use of rabbits in research as laboratory animals is quite prevalent, however imaging modalities for producing anatomical illustrations are rare. Computed tomography (CT) is a nonaggressive modality which provides more anatomical detailed data. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to create a plenary and exact deliniation and morphometric evaluation of cervical vertebrae in rabbits. METHODS: A CT scanner with two detectors was used in this study. Several parameters were measured in 10 healthy, adult female white New Zealand rabbits and the results were evaluated. RESULTS: Some parameters including VBH, SCH, PDL, PDW, VBL, EPH, and EPW had no significant difference through cervical vertebrae but other parameters such as SPH, TPL, TPW, SPA, and TPA were significantly different. In the fifth cervical vertebrae, transverse process had three parts, as well as having a big transverse foramen while in the sixth vertebra, transverse process resembled a wide plate. CONCLUSIONS: VBH had an invariable measure from the second to seventh cervical vertebrae. SPH had an invariable measure from the second cervical vertebra to the sixth one, then once more it increased at the location of the seventh cervical vertebra and was invariable up to the first thoracic vertebra. This study presents a complete and precise description and morphometric evaluation of cervical vertebrae in rabbits using CT scan. As an important feature of this study, no specimen was killed and anatomical studies were performed using the CT scan technique.