Comparison of the Scapula in Human and Laboratory Rat Species from the Perspective of Translational Medicine

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study is to provide anatomical differences between rat and human scapula and definitive information to the literature about which strain is most appropriate for rat modeling, particularly in orthopedics. Methods: In current study, a total of 40 scapulas belonging to Wistar Albino, Brown Norway, Sprague Dawley and Lewis strains were examined morphologically and morphometrically with each other and with the human scapula. Digital calipers were used to measure parameters for rat scapula. Literature searches were conducted for the measurements of the human scapula, and the obtained literature data was evaluated. A statistical analysis of the observed parameters was conducted using mean values, standard deviations, and One Way Anova Analysis in the IBM SPSS program. The Tukey post hoc test was used to determine the differences between groups that have a statistical difference. A fold ratio was calculated for each parameter based on the average values of all rat and human scapulae. Results: According to One-Way Anova analysis, there is not any difference between groups for; width of collum scapula, length of cavitas glenoidalis-1, length of cavitas glenoidalis -2, width of cavitas glenoidalis, external width of cavitas glenoidalis, length of processus hamatus, width of processus hamatus, distance between processus coracoideus and incisura scapula, distance between cavitas glenoidalis to acromion at p<0.05 level. There is a statistical difference groups for; length of scapula (p<0.001), width of scapula (p<0.001), length of margo cranialis (p=0.001), length of margo caudalis (p<0.001), length of spina scapula (p<0.001), length of acromion (p=0.007), width of acromion (p=0.001), coracoacromial distance (p=0.003), distance between cavitas glenoidalis and incisura scapula (p<0.001), angle of angulus cranialis (p=0.001) levels. Conclusions: Wistar Albino, Brown Norway, Sprague Dawley and Lewis rat strains are suitable for orthopedical animal models for especially models including cavitas glenoidalis. Any strain can be used in modeling indiscriminately. However, in modeling where the acromion, spina scapula, and edges of the scapula are important, the most appropriate strain specified in the current study should be selected.