Canine Myofascial Kinetic Lines: A Descriptive Dissection Study Including Related Function and Locomotion and Comparison of the Human and Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines
Aim: This dissection study was conducted to verify if the Myofascial kinetic lines, outlined in detail in humans and recently documented in horses, were present in dogs. These dynamic lines present rows of interconnected muscles, myofascia and other fascia structures, which influence the biomechanics of the spine and limbs. Methods: Forty-two dogs of different breeds and genders were dissected, imaged, and videoed. Results: Similar kinetic lines were verified in the dog, as described in humans and horses, and additionally, three new branches of the lines were discovered. The kinetic lines described were three superficial lines: Dorsal, Ventral, and Lateral, which all started in the hindlimb and ended in the temporal and occipital regions. These lines act respectively in spinal extension, flexion, and lateral flexion. Three profound lines, which started in the tail and ended in the head. The Deep Dorsal Line followed the transversospinal myofascia. The Deep Ventral Line showed an additional start deep in the medial hind limb, continued in the hypaxial myofascia, and enveloped all the viscera. Also, the Deep Lateral Line started in the hindlimb but parted along the trunk in the deep lateral myofascial structures. Two helical lines crossed the midline two or three times and served to rotate the spine. The Functional Line established a sling from the axilla to the contralateral stifle and presented a new ipsilateral branch. The Spiral Line connected the head and the ipsilateral tarsus and additionally presented a new straight branch. The four front limb lines describe their motion: the Front Limb Protraction and Retraction, Adduction, and Abduction Lines. Conclusion: The canine lines mirrored the equine and human lines with exceptions due to differences in anatomy, foot posture, lumbosacral flexibility, and their biomechanical constitution as predator versus prey animals. Additionally, three new canine branches were verified and described.
References
[1]
Myers, T.W. (2021) Anatomy Trains, Myofascial meridians for Manual Therapists and Movement Professionals. Fourth Edition, Elsevier.
[2]
Elbrønd, V.S. and Schultz, R.M. (2015) Myofascia—The Unexplored Tissue: Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Horses, a Model for Describing Locomotion Using Comparative Dissection Studies Derived from Human Lines. Medical Research Archives, No. 3, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v0i3.125
[3]
Elbrønd, V.S. and Schultz, R.M. (2021) Deep Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Horses, Comparative Dissection Studies Derived from Humans. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 11, 14-40. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojvm.2021.111002
[4]
Biewener, A.A. (1989) Scaling Body Support in Mammals: Limb Posture and Muscle Mechanics. Science, 245, 45-48. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.2740914
[5]
Biewener, A.A. (1991) Musculoskeletal Design in Relation to Body Size. Journal of Biomechanics, 24, 19-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(91)90374-v
[6]
Biewener, A.A., Bomphrey, R.J., Daley, M.A. and Ijspeert, A.J. (2022) Stability and Manoeuvrability in Animal Movement: Lessons from Biology, Modelling and Robotics. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 289, Article ID: 20212492. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2492
[7]
Biewener, A.A. (1983) Allometry of Quadrupedal Locomotion: The Scaling of Duty Factor, Bonecurvature and Limb Orientation to Body Size. Journal of Experimental Biology, 105, 147-171. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.105.1.147
[8]
Hyttel, P., Sinowatz, F. and Vejlsted, M. (2010) Essentials of Domestic Animal Embryology. Saunders, 69-79.
[9]
Vieira, L. (2020) Embryology of the Fascial System. Cureus, 12, e10134. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.10134
[10]
Purslow, P.P. (2010) Muscle Fascia and Force Transmission. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 14, 411-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2010.01.005
[11]
Purslow, P.P. (2020) The Structure and Role of Intramuscular Connective Tissue in Muscle Function. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, Article 495. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00495
[12]
Huijing, P.A. (2003) Muscular Force Transmission Necessitates a Multilevel Integrative Approach to the Analysis of Function of Skeletal Muscle. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 31, 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003677-200310000-00003
[13]
Huijing, P.A. and Jaspers, R.T. (2005) Adaptation of Muscle Size and Myofascial Force Transmission: A Review and Some New Experimental Results. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 15, 349-380. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2005.00457.x
[14]
Huijing, P.A., van de Langenberg, R.W., Meesters, J.J. and Baan, G.C. (2007) Extramuscular Myofascial Force Transmission Also Occurs between Synergistic Muscles and Antagonistic Muscles. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 17, 680-689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.02.005
[15]
Kjær, M., Langberg, H., Heinemeier, K., Bayer, M.L., Hansen, M., Holm, L., et al. (2009) From Mechanical Loading to Collagen Synthesis, Structural Changes and Function in Human Tendon. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 19, 500-510. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00986.x
[16]
Magnusson, S.P., Langberg, H. and Kjaer, M. (2010) The Pathogenesis of Tendinopathy: Balancing the Response to Loading. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 6, 262-268. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2010.43
[17]
Ahmed, W., Kulikowska, M., Ahlmann, T., Berg, L.C., Harrison, A.P. and Elbrønd, V.S. (2019) A Comparative Multi‐Site and Whole‐Body Assessment of Fascia in the Horse and Dog: A Detailed Histological Investigation. Journal of Anatomy, 235, 1065-1077. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13064
[18]
Biewener, A.A. (1998) Muscle-Tendon Stresses and Elastic Energy Storage during Locomotion in the Horse. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 120, 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0305-0491(98)00024-8
[19]
Wilson, A.M., McGuigan, M.P., Su, A. and van den Bogert, A.J. (2001) Horses Damp the Spring in Their Step. Nature, 414, 895-899. https://doi.org/10.1038/414895a
[20]
Wilson, A.M., Watson, J.C. and Lichtwark, G.A. (2003) Biomechanics: A Catapult action for Rapid Limb Protraction. Nature, 421, 35-36. https://doi.org/10.1038/421035a
[21]
Williams, S.B., Usherwood, J.R., Jespers, K., Channon, A.J. and Wilson, A.M. (2009) Exploring the Mechanical Basis for Acceleration: Pelvic Limb Locomotor Function during Accelerations in Racing Greyhounds (Canis familiaris). Journal of Experimental Biology, 212, 550-565. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.018093
[22]
Schultz, R. and Elbrønd, V. (2018) Novel Dissection Approach of Equine Back Muscles: New Advances in Anatomy and Topography—And Comparison to Present Literature. SPG BioMed, 1, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.32392/biomed.28
[23]
Webster, E.L., Hudson, P.E. and Channon, S.B. (2014) Comparative Functional Anatomy of the Epaxial Musculature of Dogs (Canis familiaris) Bred for Sprinting vs. Fighting. Journal of Anatomy, 225, 317-327. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12208
[24]
Nickel, R., Schummer, A. and Seiferle, E. (1977) Lehrbuch der Anatomie der Haustiere. Fourth Edition, Wentworth Press.
[25]
Fischer, M.S. and Lilje, K.E., (2014) Dogs in Motion. Second Edition, Bonifatius GmBH.
[26]
Krause, F., Wilke, J., Vogt, L. and Banzer, W. (2016) Intermuscular Force Transmission along Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review. Journal of Anatomy, 228, 910-918. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12464
[27]
Wilke, J., Krause, F., Vogt, L. and Banzer, W. (2016) What Is Evidence-Based about Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97, 454-461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.07.023
[28]
Essig, C.M., Merritt, J.S., Stubbs, N.C. and Clayton, H.M. (2013) Localization of the Cutaneus Trunci Muscle Reflex in Horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 74, 1428-1432. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.74.11.1428
[29]
van Iwaarden, A., Stubbs, N.C. and Clayton, H.M. (2012) Topographical Anatomy of the Equine M. Cutaneus Trunci in Relation to the Position of the Saddle and Girth. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 32, 519-524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.12.005
[30]
Wada, N., Hori, H. and Tokuriki, M. (1993) Electromyographic and Kinematic Studies of Tail Movements in Dogs during Treadmill Locomotion. Journal of Morphology, 217, 105-113. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1052170109
[31]
Röhrmann, N., Louis, A.L. and Raabe, I. (2020) Die Hunderute—Grundlagen der osteopathischen und physiotherapeutischen Therapie. Zeitschrift für GanzheitlicheTiermedizin, 34, 147-154. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1258-7960
[32]
Kiley-Worthington, M. (1976) The Tail Movements of Ungulates, Canids and Felids with Particular Reference to Their Causation and Function as Displays. Behaviour, 56, 69-114. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853976x00307
[33]
Elbrønd, V.S. and Mark Schultz, R. (2019) Equine Myodural Bridges—An Anatomi-cal and Integrative/Functional Description of Myodural Bridges along the Spine of Horses: Special Focus on the Atlanto-Occipital and Atlanto-Axial Regions. Medical Research Archives, 7, 1-20.
[34]
McElroy, A., Rashmir, A., Manfredi, J., Sledge, D., Carr, E., Stopa, E., et al. (2019) Evaluation of the Structure of Myodural Bridges in an Equine Model of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Scientific Reports, 9, Article No. 9978. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46444-w
[35]
Ma, Y., Tang, W., Gong, D., Li, X., Zhang, J., Sun, J., et al. (2021) The Morphology, Biomechanics, and Physiological Function of the Suboccipital Myodural Connections. Scientific Reports, 11, Article No. 8064. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86934-4
[36]
Stecco, C., Sfriso, M.M., Porzionato, A., Rambaldo, A., Albertin, G., Macchi, V., et al. (2017) Microscopic Anatomy of the Visceral Fasciae. Journal of Anatomy, 231, 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12617
[37]
Huijing, P.A. and Baan, G.C. (2003) Myofascial Force Transmission: Muscle Relative Position and Length Determine Agonist and Synergist Muscle Force. Journal of Applied Physiology, 94, 1092-1107. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00173.2002
[38]
Yucesoy, C.A., Koopman, B.H.F.J.M., Baan, G.C., Grootenboer, H.J. and Huijing, P.A. (2003) Extramuscular Myofascial Force Transmission: Experiments and Finite Element Modeling. Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 111, 377-388. https://doi.org/10.3109/13813450312331337630
