Linear parameters of the thoracic vertebrae in adults in the second period of adulthood

Abstract

The aim of the study is to identify age, gender and somato-typological features of the linear parameters of the thoracic vertebrae in adults of the second period of adulthood using X-ray computed tomography. Material and methods. The study included 34 patients of both sexes (17 men, 17 women) in the second period of adulthood. The focus of research was the thoracic vertebrae; for their morphometry, computed tomograms of the chest organs of the patients were studied. The average, the largest and smallest values of the length and width of the bodies of 1–12 thoracic vertebrae in the axial plane were determined; the correlation between the obtained sizes and the chest width index according to V.N. Shevkunenko, the value of the subcostal angle, the Haller index and the age of the patients were evaluated. Gender differences in the studied parameters were also specified. Results. It has been found that the age-related variability of the linear parameters of the vertebral bodies is characterized by a decreased length and width of the thoracic vertebral bodies in older people. Smaller values of the length and width of the vertebral bodies present sex differences in the linear parameters of the thoracic vertebral bodies in women compared to men. The constitutional features of the linear parameters of the thoracic vertebrae bodies were determined: wider and longer bodies of the vertebrae are typical for people having a brachymorphic constitution, smaller values of these quantitative parameters of the vertebral bodies are typical for patients having a dolichomorphic constitution. Conclusion. The obtained data on the age, sex and constitutional features of the structure of the thoracic vertebrae are of practical significance for the interpretation of intravital methods of spine investigation and for optimizing surgical and technical methods of spinal correction.