Postnatal Osteological Development of the Cervical Vertebrae in the New Zealand White Rabbit

Abstract

This study used the New Zealand White rabbit to reveal the normal ossification development of the cervical component of the spine. Preserved cervical vertebrae representing five different age periods, each period including five individuals and the total number of animals being 25, were fixed in 3.5% formaldehyde solution and 95% ethanol, followed by a pure acetone bath. The materials were then stained with an alcian blue-alizarin red combination. The ossification centres were identical over time, and the pattern of fusion among them was homogenous and constant in appearance. There were three different primary ossification centres in all the cervical vertebrae except the axis, which showed four primary ossification centres. The dorsally located primary ossification centres later formed the pedicles of the neural arches, while the ventral centres constituted the body of each vertebra. The study was terminated at 10 weeks of age because the ossification centres observed in the cervical vertebrae completed their fusion and no further ossification centres were observed.

Cervical myelopathy due to complex Atlanto‐axial malformation including partial atlantal dorsal arch aplasia in a domestic rabbit

“…The lateral symmetrical centres close dorsally between the 9th and 19th day of gestation and complete fusion takes place between the 23rd and 39th day of gestation (Kürtül et al . ). Ossification of the axis takes place via four ossification centres.…”

“…The ossification of these more laterally located ossification centres take place between the 19th and 43rd day of gestation (Kürtül et al . ). Any disturbance of the foetal growth during this period of intrauterine development may lead to malformations in the developing parenchyma (Zachery & McGavin ).…”

“…The median centre forms the ventral arch and a lateral symmetrical centre on each side is responsible for wing and dorsal arch formation. The lateral symmetrical centres close dorsally between the 9th and 19th day of gestation and complete fusion takes place between the 23rd and 39th day of gestation (Kürtül et al 2007). Ossification of the axis takes place via four ossification centres.…”

“…Dorso-laterally associated is one ossification centre on each side which forms the neural arch and the adjacent caudal articulation process. The ossification of these more laterally located ossification centres take place between the 19th and 43rd day of gestation (Kürtül et al 2007). Any disturbance of the foetal growth during this period of intrauterine development may lead to malformations in the developing parenchyma (Zachery & McGavin 2011).…”