Abstract
In previous experiments 1 it was shown that a great difference exists in the osteogenic power of the periosteum of the rib and tibia of the same animal. Periosteum from only the mid-portions of these bones was tested. In the present experiments, specimens of periosteum of various portions of the tibia were compared with each other in this respect.
Rabbits, 6 to 12 months old, and adult dogs were used, in 3 groups. In each animal, equal strips of bone-free periosteum were aseptically removed from different parts of the bone's antero-medial aspect and laid upon the fascia of the corresponding tibialis anticus muscle. After 5 1/2 to 10 weeks, the specimens were removed and examined for the extent of osteogenesis.
Group 1, 4 rabbits. The specimens were from the upper and lower thirds of the shaft of the tibia. New bone formed in both, but it was about 5 times more abundant in the specimen from the upper third. In each case, the end of the graft originally nearer the epiphysis had more bone than the other.
Group 2, one rabbit and 2 dogs. The specimens were from the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the bone. Those from the middle third developed no bone; and the others behaved as in group 1.
Group 3, 2 dogs and 2 rabbits. The grafts were from the upper third and from the junction of the middle and lower thirds of the shaft of tibia. The positions of the transplantations were reversed (in order to control the factor of possible differences in vascularity of different parts of the tibialis anticus muscle fascia). The transplants from the upper third of the shaft showed solid sheets of bone, while those from the junction of the middle and lower thirds of the shaft showed only a very slight amount of osteogenesis—slightly less than that formed in the grafts taken from the lower one-third of the shaft as in groups 1 and 2.
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