Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Three-Dimensional Shape Modeling and Analysis of Brain Structures
Published on: November 14, 2019
Morphologic variations of the scapula in 3-dimensions: a statistical shape model approach
Stijn J Casier1, Robin Van den Broecke1, Jan Van Houcke1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Background:
Morphologic variations of the scapula and acromion have been found to be associated with shoulder pathology. This study used statistical shape modelling to quantify these variations in healthy shoulders.
Materials And Methods:
A statistical shape model of the scapula was created using 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions of 108 survey-confirmed nonpathologic shoulders of 54 patients. The mean shape and the 95% confidence interval were calculated and analyzed in the first 5 shape modes.
Results:
The first 5 shape modes consisted of consecutively sized (72% of total variation), rotation of the coracoacromial complex (5%), acromial shape and slope (4%), shape of the scapular spine (2%), and acromial overhang (2%).
Discussion And Conclusion:
In healthy shoulders, a certain variation in rotation of the coracoacromial complex and in acromial shape and slope was observed. These new parameters might be correlated with shoulder pathology such as glenohumeral osteoarthritis or rotator cuff tears.
Related Concept Videos
Statistical Significance
What is Variation?
The range, standard deviation, standard error, and variance are the different measures of variation.
Range: The range is the difference between its maximum and...
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Variation
When independent and dependent variables are plotted on a scatter plot, the slope of a line is a value that describes the rate of change between the two...
Molecular Shapes
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...
Variation: Normal Distribution, Range, and Standard Deviation

