Morphometry of the kangaroo spine and its comparison with human spinal data

Abstract

The upright posture of the kangaroo suggests that the spine of the kangaroo could be a possible substitute model for biomechanical studies of the human spine. A prerequisite for this should be the agreement of anatomy in humans and kangaroos. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomical parameters of the kangaroo spine from C4 to S4 and compare them with existing anatomical data of the human spine. Eight complete spines of the red giant kangaroo were obtained and 21 anatomical parameters were measured from the vertebral bodies, spinal canal, endplate, pedicles, intervertebral discs, transverse, and spinous processes. Most similarities between kangaroo and human spines were found for the vertebral bodies in the cervical and the lumbar spine. The largest differences were evident for the spinous processes. Although both species are somehow upright, these differences may be explained by the way how they move. Jumping probably requires more muscle strength than walking on two legs.

Case Report: Unable to Jump Like a Kangaroo Due to Myositis Ossificans Circumscripta

“…Especially, the lumbar spinal processes are much bigger in kangaroos than in humans ( 22 ). It is suspected that this increases the surface area for muscle insertion so that more force can be applied ( 34 ). The movement of jumping needs more muscle power than upright walking ( 34 ).…”

“…It is suspected that this increases the surface area for muscle insertion so that more force can be applied ( 34 ). The movement of jumping needs more muscle power than upright walking ( 34 ). This could explain why the present case showed the expression of MO in the lumbar musculature compared with the typical occurrence in humans in the thigh musculature ( 6 , 9 , 37 ).…”

“…In contrast to the described kangaroo with lumbar MO, MO has rarely been described in the lumbar musculature in humans (31). Due to their vertically oriented vertebral column, kangaroos are often used as an animal model for human vertebral column diseases to describe biomechanical properties and treatment options (34)(35)(36). Nevertheless, there are major differences in the anatomy of humans and kangaroos (34,35).…”

“…Due to their vertically oriented vertebral column, kangaroos are often used as an animal model for human vertebral column diseases to describe biomechanical properties and treatment options (34)(35)(36). Nevertheless, there are major differences in the anatomy of humans and kangaroos (34,35). Especially, the lumbar spinal processes are much bigger in kangaroos than in humans (22).…”

Biomechanical in vitro evaluation of the kangaroo spine in comparison with human spinal data

“…They observed similarities in thoracic vertebrae geometry, particularly of the vertebrae, pedicles and facets, between humans and kangaroos (Balasubramanian et al, 2016). Wilke et al (2021) described the anatomical parameters of the kangaroo spine and compared them with human morphological data. They reported good agreements between the two species in the cervical region in relation to the cranial endplates, pedicles, facet joints and anterior intervertebral disc height.…”