Use of quadruped models in thoraco-abdominal biomechanics research

Pigs and dogs have become common models of human thoraco-abdominal impact response. This paper summarizes a comparative analysis of the dog and pig to the live human accomplished through a series of necropsies performed on pigs and dogs. The results are summarized below. Emphasis is placed on specific aspects which are felt to be important for impact biomechanics. In particular, emphasis is placed upon the effect of tethering structures because of their potential in explaining mechanisms of injury for specific types of trauma such as aortic and certain liver injuries. Some aspects of tethering in the pig and dog are significantly different from that of the live human so care should be taken when using these animals in thoraco-abdominal biomechanics experiments.