MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE MANDIBULA IN SHEEP, GOAT AND RABBIT

Understanding the morphological and morphometric properties of the mandible is crucial for the selection of an appropriate animal model for applications including implants, screws, prostheses, or bone defects. The purpose of this study is to present morphological data concerning the geometrical properties of the mandible in rabbits, sheep, and goats, which are used as models in experimental oral surgery. Length and height measurements of the mandibles were made on x-ray images of the mandibles. The cortical thicknesses and inner-outer diameters were also measured on the CT sectional images. In comparison to ruminants, the mandibular canal in rabbits is relatively shorter. In rabbits, the mental foramen is positioned caudally and closer to the molar teeth, while in sheep and goats, it is located rostrally and closer to the incisive teeth. In addition, the incisive roots are very extended and curved in rabbits and extend to the caudal border of the diastema. In ruminants, the incisive tooth roots are shorter and terminate close to the rostral border of the diastema, and there is a wider working area. Sheep and goats have wider and thicker bones in the rostral, intermediary and caudal regions of the mandible. The ramus region of rabbits has a thin bone structure, which makes it difficult to apply screws and other devices. The lateral side has a thicker cortical bone towards the rostral of the rabbit mandible, while the medial side is thicker in ruminants. The morphologic and geometric data of the mandible may support a study with critical size defects and screw, plate, or other implantations in rabbits and small ruminants to avoid problems or mistakes during experimental oral surgery. Also, the supplementary files can be used by researchers to investigate mandible x-ray images and CT sections of that animal species, as well as sections in different planes based on the intended position during pre-operative planning.