Cross-sectional thigh components

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The efficacy of the Picker Synerview 4th Generation CT [computed tomography] Scanner is assessing cross-sectional areas of muscle, bone and subcutaneous fat of the thigh was examined. A secondary purpose was to resolve individual muscle bellies using the CT scanner and to determine the effects of body composition in isolating those muscles. Both limbs of 1 cadaver were used to compare actual cross-sectional areas with the CT images. Each limb was dissected and photographed. Accuracy of repeated measurements was assessed using human volunteers. Absolute and percent error between the CT measurements and the measurements of the cross-sectional areas differed most at the bone. No differences were found between repeat scans. CT images and photographic measurements of individual muscles were generally quite similar, as assessed by absolute and percent error. The gracilis and sartorious were reasonably defined in those individuals with more than 8% body fat. The results are discussed in terms of possible applications of the CT scanner in sports medicine research.