Internal rib structure can be predicted using mathematical models: An anatomic study comparing the chest to a shell dome with application to understanding fractures

The human rib cage resembles a masonry dome in shape. Masonry domes have a particular construction that mimics stress distribution. Rib cortical thickness and bone density were analyzed to determine whether the morphology of the rib cage is sufficiently similar to a shell dome for internal rib struc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2015-11, Vol.28 (8), p.1008-1016
Main Authors: Casha, Aaron R., Camilleri, Liberato, Manché, Alexander, Gatt, Ruben, Attard, Daphne, Gauci, Marilyn, Camilleri-Podesta, Marie-Therese, Mcdonald, Stuart, Grima, Joseph N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biomechanics
Bone Density
Cadaver
Cadavers
Cages
Chest
Computed tomography
Computer simulation
Construction
Cortical bone
Domes
Finite Element Analysis
Finite element method
Fixation
Fractures
Humans
Laplace Law
Masonry
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Mathematical morphology
measurement
Models, Theoretical
morphology
Residual stress
Rib
Rib Fractures - pathology
Ribs
Ribs (structural)
Ribs - anatomy & histology
Ribs - diagnostic imaging
Scanning
Stress analysis
Stress concentration
Stress distribution
Stress, Mechanical
Thoracic Wall - anatomy & histology
Thoracic Wall - diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray
Wolff's Law
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Summary:The human rib cage resembles a masonry dome in shape. Masonry domes have a particular construction that mimics stress distribution. Rib cortical thickness and bone density were analyzed to determine whether the morphology of the rib cage is sufficiently similar to a shell dome for internal rib structure to be predicted mathematically. A finite element analysis (FEA) simulation was used to measure stresses on the internal and external surfaces of a chest‐shaped dome. Inner and outer rib cortical thickness and bone density were measured in the mid‐axillary lines of seven cadaveric rib cages using computerized tomography scanning. Paired t tests and Pearson correlation were used to relate cortical thickness and bone density to stress. FEA modeling showed that the stress was 82% higher on the internal than the external surface, with a gradual decrease in internal and external wall stresses from the base to the apex. The inner cortex was more radio‐dense, P 
ISSN:0897-3806
1098-2353
DOI:10.1002/ca.22614