Advanced three-dimensional morphometric analysis of calvarial bones used in scaffold studies

Calvarial bones, particularly the frontal and parietal bones, play a critical role in craniofacial research, however, comprehensive guidelines on their thickness and morphometry remain lacking.

This study conducted detailed morphometric analyses using 3D reconstructions of 16 specimens each from New Zealand rabbits, domestic pigs, and Wistar rats (8 females and 8 males per species), as well as 20 specimens (8 females, 12 males) from Romanov sheep. Micro-CT imaging was utilized for rats and rabbits, while conventional CT imaging was used for sheep and pigs. Three-dimensional models were manually generated in 3D Slicer to measure precise bone thickness.

The result showed that average calvarial thickness varied by species: rat (parietal 0.77 ± 0.01 mm, frontal 0.95 ± 0.02 mm), rabbit (frontal 2.19 ± 0.05 mm, parietal 1.72 ± 0.02 mm), sheep (parietal 7.75 ± 0.13 mm, frontal 7.49 ± 0.13 mm), pig (parietal 48.70 ± 7.16 mm, frontal 36.33 ± 5.06 mm). Our findings indicates that the rat skull, especially the parietal bone, is well-suited for anatomical and morphometric studies due to its consistent thickness and symmetrical structure. Among its bones, the parietal bone stands out as ideal for creating bone defect models due to its symmetrical structure and consistent thickness.

These findings offer valuable guidance for selecting appropriate animal models and designing scaffold materials, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of bone defect research and regenerative strategies.