title: The relationship between age, size and shape in the upper thoracic vertebrae of the mouse.
abstract: The shapes of the first two thoracic vertebrae of F1 mice produced by crossing BALB/c and CBA inbred strains have been examined at 25-60 days by Fourier analysis. The greatest shape change during this period is between 25 and 30 days and is related to the finalisation of the form of the neural arch and spinous process. Between 30 and 60 days there is continued linear shape change not associated with further increase in vertebral area, and probably due to a constant pattern of localised shape changes. Both vertebrae and both sexes behave similarly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Leeds, W. Yorks.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Higgins
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: McAndrew
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001699:Biometry; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000502:physiology*; D008838:Microcomputers; D012737:Sex Factors; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*