Anatomy of the sheep spine and its comparison to the human spine

BACKGROUND: The sheep spine is often used as a model for the human spine, although the degree to which these spines are anatomically comparable has yet to be categorically established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristic anatomical dimensions of the sheep spine and to compare these with existing human data. METHODS: Five complete spines were measured to determine 21 dimensions from the pedicles, spinal canal, transverse and spinous processes, facets, endplates, and disc. RESULTS: The results showed that sheep and human vertebrae are most similar in the thoracic and lumbar regions, although they show substantial differences in certain dimensions. Morphological variations as a function of spine level typically were well matched in the two species. CONCLUSIONS: Sheep spine may be a useful model for experiments related to the gross structure of the thoracic or lumbar spine, with certain limitations for the cervical spine. A thorough database has been provided for deciding the appropriateness of using the sheep spine as a model for the human spine.