Variation of the clavicle’s muscle insertion footprints – a cadaveric study

Abstract

The muscle footprint anatomy of the clavicle is described in various anatomical textbooks but research on the footprint variation is rare. Our goal was to assess the variation and to create a probabilistic atlas of the muscle footprint anatomy. 14 right and left clavicles of anatomical specimens were dissected until only muscle fibers remained. 3D models with muscle footprints were made through CT scanning, laser scanning and photogrammetry. Then, for each side, the mean clavicle was calculated and non-rigidly registered to all other cadaveric bones. Muscle footprints were indicated on the mean left and right clavicle through the 1-to-1 mesh correspondence which is achieved by non-rigid registration. Lastly, 2 probabilistic atlases from the clavicle muscle footprints were generated. There was no statistical significant difference between the surface area (absolute and relative), of the originally dissected muscle footprints, of male and female, and left and right anatomical specimens. Visualization of all muscle footprints on the mean clavicle resulted in 72% (right) and 82% (left) coverage of the surface. The Muscle Insertion Footprint of each specimen covered on average 36.9% of the average right and 37.0% of the average left clavicle. The difference between surface coverage by all MIF and the mean surface coverage, shows that the MIF location varies strongly. From the probabilistic atlas we can conclude that no universal clavicle exists. Therefore, patient-specific clavicle fracture fixation plates should be considered to minimally interfere with the MIF. Therefore, patient-specific clavicle fracture fixation plates which minimally interfere with the footprints should be considered.

Evaluation of 3D Footprint Morphology of Knee-Related Muscle Attachments Based on CT Data Reconstruction: A Feasibility Study

“…Although this is a promising approach, there were also outliers in the measurement that had to be removed manually. Herteleer et al [ 22 ] showed the variation of muscle attachment areas in the clavicle. However, they did not analyze the knee-relevant muscle areas or the centroids of the attachment areas.…”

Thin patient‐specific clavicle fracture fixation plates can mechanically outperform commercial plates: An in silico approach

“…Indeed, several studies previously reported a poor geometric fit of the current fixation plates 5,6 . Additionally, these plates interfere with soft tissues 7 due to the high variability of the clavicle shape 8,9 and its muscle attachment sites (MAS) 10 . To overcome these issues, intraoperative bending of the plate is often required to achieve an appropriate fit.…”

“…5,6 Additionally, these plates interfere with soft tissues 7 due to the high variability of the clavicle shape 8,9 and its muscle attachment sites (MAS). 10 To overcome these issues, intraoperative bending of the plate is often required to achieve an appropriate fit. Nevertheless, part of the MAS sometimes still has to be detached.…”