Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (21): 5573-5581.doi: 10.12307/2026.774

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Micromorphological characteristics of human scaphoid bone based on Micro CT imaging technology

Zhang Dezhou1, Lyu Yuan1, 2, Li Kun3, 4, Chen Jie3, Yang Xiangrong5, Zhao Hailong4, Zhang Shaojie3, 4, Ma Yuan4, Hao Yunteng4, Yang Yang3, Gao Mingjie3, Wang Zhiqiang3, Li Zhijun3, 4, Shi Jun6, Wang Xing3, 4   

  1. 1Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Minimally Invasive Tumor Interventional Surgery, Baotou Cancer Hospital, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 3Human Anatomy Teaching and Research Section, 6Physiology Teaching and Research Section, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 4Digital Medicine Center, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University/Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Digital Translational Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 5First Clinical Medical School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010030, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China 

  • Accepted:2025-08-08 Online:2026-07-28 Published:2026-03-05
  • Contact: Wang Xing, PhD, Associate professor, Human Anatomy Teaching and Research Section, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Digital Medicine Center, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University/Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Digital Translational Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Co-corresponding author: Shi Jun, Associate professor, Physiology Teaching and Research Section, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Zhang Dezhou, MS candidate, Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Lyu Yuan, MS candidate, Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Minimally Invasive Tumor Interventional Surgery, Baotou Cancer Hospital, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Zhang Dezhou and Lyu Yuan contributed equally to this article.
  • Supported by:
    Program for Young Scientists and Technologists in Higher Education Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. NJYT22009 (to WX); Key Project of Scientific Research of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2021ZD011 (to WX); Medical and Health Science and Technology Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Health and Health Commission, No. 202201217 (to WX); Doctoral Starting Fund project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2023BSQD014 (to WX); Teaching Innovation Team of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. NYCXTD202406 (to WX); 2024 Annual “Good at Learning” Talent of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. ZY20242104 (to WX); 2025 College Students' Scientific and Technological Innovation “Talent Cultivation” Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YCPY2025002 (to YXR)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Clinically, the unique anatomical characteristics and internal trabecular distribution of the scaphoid bone often result in poor fracture treatment outcomes, often leading to nonunion and avascular necrosis of the fracture, which in turn causes wrist arthritis and functional loss.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the internal microstructural characteristics of scaphoid bone specimens using Micro CT technology and measure the microstructural parameters of trabeculae in each region to identify regional differences in scaphoid trabeculae and provide a scientific basis for the prevention, treatment, and fracture mechanism research of scaphoid fractures.
METHODS: Bilateral scaphoid bones from five adult cadaveric specimens (10 cases) were scanned with Micro CT. Trabeculae within three regions of interest (tuberosity, waist, and body) were selected and reconstructed to examine the microscopic morphology of the scaphoid bone in detail. The differences in trabecular microstructural parameters were measured and compared within each region.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Micro CT images showed that the cortical bone on the surface of the scaphoid bone was relatively thin, while the interior was filled with complex trabecular microstructures. The lamellar trabeculae near the cortical bone were relatively dense, extending into rod-shaped trabeculae inward. Observations from sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes showed that the trabeculae were sparsely distributed in the waist, while they were densely distributed in the body and tuberosity. (2) The bone volume, bone surface, bone surface/total volume, trabecular separation, trabecular number, connectivity, connection density, fractal dimension, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content of the scaphoid bone were significantly different between the left and right sides (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the trabecular microstructural parameters of the waist and body between the left and right sides (P > 0.05). (3) The bone volume, bone volume fraction, bone surface, bone surface/total tissue volume, bone surface/total bone volume, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content of the scaphoid bone were significantly different between the body and the tuberosity, as well as the waist (P < 0.05); the trabecular thickness of the scaphoid bone was significantly different between the body and the tuberosity, as well as the waist (P < 0.05); the trabecular separation and fractal dimension of the scaphoid bone were significantly different between the body and the tuberosity, as well as the waist, and between the tuberosity and the waist (P < 0.05). The trabecular number, connectivity, and connection density of the scaphoid bone were significantly different between the waist and the tuberosity, as well as the body (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the tissue volume and anisotropy of the scaphoid bone between the body, tuberosity, and waist (P > 0.05). (4) The results showed that there were regional differences in the values of trabecular microstructural parameters of the scaphoid bone. The lumbar region had lower bone density and strength and was the most prone to fracture. This finding provides a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism of scaphoid fracture from the perspective of trabecular microstructure. Furthermore, the trabecular structural characteristics of different parts of the scaphoid bone revealed in this study also provide a theoretical basis for the design of targeted internal fixation devices.

Key words: ">scaphoid bone, micro CT, microscopic morphology, trabecular bone, regional differences, bone trabecular microstructure

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