Variations in Density and Shear Strength within the Human Thoracic Vertebral Endplate and Trabecular Bone

摘要

We assessed the regional variations in density and shear strength within the human thoracic vertebral body using donated cadaveric tissues. Shear strength was significantly lower in the anterior than in the lateral region. From the inferior to the superior endplates, shear strength and maximum load to failure decreased by 23% and 33%, respectively. Trabecular bone maximum load carrying capacity was 5 times higher in the lateral and 4.5 times higher in the central than in the anterior regions. Mechanical strength positively correlated with ash density and most closely with material density.