Published 13:31 IST, August 26th 2020

Scientists discover inter-vertebral discs in dinosaur that will help medicine

A team of scientists under University of Bonn led the computer-aided research and found that even the species of Tyrannosaurus rex could have had slip discs.

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Scientists have discovered intervertebral discs in disaurs that connected vertebrae and provided mobility. A cartilagius fibrous ring and a gelatius core have been found, which was earlier believed to be present only in humans. This key finding, published in journal 'Scientific Reports’ and PLOS ONE can help medical experts and scientists in research in field of medicines for humans to treat various Degenerative disc diseases (DDD) such as arthritis, disc herniation, or spinal stesis.

A team of scientists under leership of University of Bonn led computer-aided research and found that even species of Tyransaurus rex could have suffered a slipped disc. study found that necks of sauropod disaurs were a key factor in ir evolution and consisted of human-like intervertebral discs, although it varied in form and thickness of cartil. Earlier, habitual posture and range of motion of sauropod disaurs’ necks were controversial.

[Articulated first and second dorsal vertebrae of Apatosaurus CM 3390. A. Digital model showing two vertebrae in articulation. Credit: PLOS ONE]

While it was found that birds have syvial joints in ir necks, basis of study was scientists worldwide unsure if necks of sauropods more closely resembled those of birds or mammals.” Inspection of CT scans showed cartil bone ratios of 4.5 per cent in Sauroposeidon and about 20 per cent and 15 per cent in juvenile Apatosaurus individuals. In extant animals, this ratio varied from 2.59 per cent for rhea bird to 24 per cent for a juvenile giraffe,” scientists wrote in research. While it wasn’t possible to detangle ontogenetic and taxomic signals in se species, it was found that cartil was three times as thick as that of birds. As per anatomist Professor Dr. Karl Schilling from University of Bonnpaleontology, paleontology research and medicine is seminal in Germany.

"I found it hard to believe that ancient reptiles did t have inter-vertebral discs," said paleontologist Dr Tanja Wintrich from Section Paleontology in Institute of Geosciences of University of Bonn in study.

"This insight is also central to medical understanding of humans. human body is t perfect, and its diseases reflect our long evolutionary history," ds paleontologist Prof. Dr. Martin Sander from University of Bonn.

[Hypotical models of geometry of an opisthocoelous intervertebral joint compared with actual morphology of C5/C6 joint in Sauroposeidon OMNH 53062. Credit: PLOS ONE]

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19 different disaurs, extinct reptiles, birds studied

According to study in PLOS ONE, Sauropod disaurs have been table for ir very long necks. An extensive review of sauropod palaeobiology found details earlier t kwn. Late Jurassic sauropods Apatosaurus and Diplodocus were modelled with ‘intervertebral articulations’ using a computer program named DiMorph. Early ories indicated that “Diplodocus was barely able to elevate its he above height of its back”. However, years after DiMorph work was published, Gregory Paul pointed out importance of cartil. refore, scientists used OMNH 53062, holo of long-necked basal titasauriform Sauroposeidon and CM 3390, and CM 11339, two partial skeletons of juvenile individuals of Apatosaurus to conduct research as re have been fossils of cartil preserved till date basis previous ories. specimen, refore, included three intervertebral joints through a medical CT scanner. Scientists studied a total of 19 different disaurs, or extinct reptiles, and species of birds.

[Joint between cervicals 11 (left) and 10 (right) of a rhea, sagittally bisected. Left half of neck in medial view. thin layers of cartil lining C11 condyle and C10 cotyle are clearly visible. Credit: PLOS ONE]