Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (15): 3946-3952.doi: 10.12307/2026.876

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Micro-CT evaluation of trabecular morphology in different regions of the talus

Li Lei1, Zhang Fengzhen1, Yin Zhaozheng1, Yi Yuying1, Shen Xiaoke1, Duan Bo1, Wang Zhiqiang1, Ren Xiaoyan2, Li Kun1, Li Zhijun1, Wang Qijiao1, Wang Xing3, Zhang Shaojie1#br#   

  1. 1Basic Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 3Digital Medical Center of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Accepted:2025-01-09 Online:2026-05-28 Published:2025-11-07
  • Contact: Zhang Shaojie, Professor, Master’s supervisor, Basic Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Co-corresponding author: Wang Xing, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Digital Medical Center of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Li Lei, Master candidate, Basic Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Zhang Fengzhen, Master candidate, Attending physician, Lecturer, Basic Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Li Lei and Zhang Fengzhen contributed equally to this article.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation Project, No. 82360892 (to ZSJ); Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Health Science and Technology Plan Project, No. 202201219 (to ZSJ); Construction Project of Science and Technology Leading Talents and Innovation Team of Education Department, No. NMGIRT2307 (to ZSJ); School Matching Project for the Construction of Science and Technology Leading Talents and Innovative Teams of Education Department, No. YKD2024TD013 (to ZSJ); Key Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2022ZD007 (to ZSJ); Doctor Start-up Fund Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2023BSQD011 (to ZSJ); Inner Mongolia Medical University “Good Scholar”, No. ZY20242102 (to ZSJ) 

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Talus fractures are difficult to treat and are prone to multiple complications, leading to poor prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to further understand the distribution characteristics of trabeculae in the talus and their relationship with fracture occurrence.
OBJECTIVE: Micro-CT technology was used to scan talus specimens, observe the structural characteristics and morphometric parameters of trabeculae, explore the differences in trabeculae in different regions of the talus, and provide a basis for the prevention, treatment, and study of fracture mechanisms of talus fractures.
METHODS: A total of 53 adult talus specimens were selected for Micro-CT scanning. The imaging data were imported into Avata software for three-dimensional reconstruction. By selecting and reconstructing the trabeculae in the three regions of interest (head, neck, and body of the talus), their morphological characteristics were observed, and the differences in the morphometric parameters of trabeculae in different regions were measured and analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Micro-CT scans showed that the cortical bone of the head and body of the talus was thinner, while the cortical bone of the neck was relatively thicker. The trabeculae in the neck were sparsely distributed, while those in the head and body were relatively dense. (2) The bone volume, bone volume fraction and trabecular pattern factor of talar trabeculae showed significant differences between the head and the neck, and the body (P < 0.05). The bone surface area, bone surface area to tissue volume ratio, trabecular separation and fractal dimension of talar trabeculae showed significant differences of the neck with the head and the body (P < 0.05). The trabecular thickness of talar trabeculae showed significant differences of the body with the head and the neck (P < 0.05). The bone surface area to bone volume ratio, trabecular thickness, trabecular connectivity, trabecular connection density, degree of anisotropy and structural model index of talar trabeculae showed significant differences of the neck with the head and the body, and between the head and the body (P < 0.05). (3) It is concluded that Micro-CT technology can quantitatively analyze the morphometric parameters of trabecular bone in different regions of the talus. There are regional differences in the morphometric parameters of trabecular bone of the talus. The number and strength of trabeculae in the neck are lower, and it is the most prone to fracture. The distribution characteristics of trabecular bone explain the mechanism of talus fractures occurring frequently in the neck. 

Key words: talus, Micro-CT, trabeculae, regional difference, morphometric parameter

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