Dimitrios P. Sokolis , Stavroula A. Papadodima , Christos Manopoulos
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The esophagus is a multi-layered organ that transports food to the stomach. While extensive biomechanical data exist for animal esophagi, human data remain limited. To address this, we analyzed residual deformations and zero-stress configurations in esophageal tissue from twenty-one cadavers (aged 21-84). Rings were photographed from fifteen equidistant locations before and after radial cutting and dissection into mucosa-submucosa and muscle layers. Image analysis revealed that the opening angles of the intact wall and muscle—slightly greater for the latter—did not vary significantly along the esophagus (p > 0.05 across age groups and genders). Conversely, the mucosa-submucosa had a larger opening angle, increasing along the esophagus (p < 0.05 in young subjects and both genders). Residual strains released by radial cutting and layer separation showed no anatomical position dependence (p > 0.05). The no-load internal circumference remained age-independent (p > 0.05 at all locations), while intact-wall thickness increased from young to middle-aged subjects due to mucosa-submucosa expansion (p < 0.05 in the upper half). No significant muscle growth occurred with age. This correlated with a rise in intact-wall opening angle between those age groups (p < 0.05 at the same sites), driven by more compressive internal residual strain (p < 0.05 near mid-esophagus). Age-related variations in layer-specific opening angles and residual strains were minimal (p > 0.05 in most locations). Males had wider, thicker esophagi (p < 0.05 in the upper half), but gender had no significant effect on opening angles and residual strains. This database provides new insights into the residual strains of the human esophagus and enhances computational simulations of transport and clinical interventions.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Biomechanics publishes reports of original and substantial findings using the principles of mechanics to explore biological problems. Analytical, as well as experimental papers may be submitted, and the journal accepts original articles, surveys and perspective articles (usually by Editorial invitation only), book reviews and letters to the Editor. The criteria for acceptance of manuscripts include excellence, novelty, significance, clarity, conciseness and interest to the readership.
Papers published in the journal may cover a wide range of topics in biomechanics, including, but not limited to:
-Fundamental Topics - Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, mechanics of hard and soft tissues, biofluid mechanics, mechanics of prostheses and implant-tissue interfaces, mechanics of cells.
-Cardiovascular and Respiratory Biomechanics - Mechanics of blood-flow, air-flow, mechanics of the soft tissues, flow-tissue or flow-prosthesis interactions.
-Cell Biomechanics - Biomechanic analyses of cells, membranes and sub-cellular structures; the relationship of the mechanical environment to cell and tissue response.
-Dental Biomechanics - Design and analysis of dental tissues and prostheses, mechanics of chewing.
-Functional Tissue Engineering - The role of biomechanical factors in engineered tissue replacements and regenerative medicine.
-Injury Biomechanics - Mechanics of impact and trauma, dynamics of man-machine interaction.
-Molecular Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of biomolecules.
-Orthopedic Biomechanics - Mechanics of fracture and fracture fixation, mechanics of implants and implant fixation, mechanics of bones and joints, wear of natural and artificial joints.
-Rehabilitation Biomechanics - Analyses of gait, mechanics of prosthetics and orthotics.
-Sports Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of sports performance.