Meeting Abstract

P3-41    The Effects of Cross-Sectional Geometry, Trabecular Properties, and Mandibular Symphyseal Tissues on the Biomechanics of the Mandible of Didelphis virginianis Wilken, AT*; Schultz, JA; Stilson, KT; Luo, ZX; Ross, CF; University of Chicago; University of Bonn; Brown University; University of Chicago; University of Chicago atwilken@uchicago.edu

The vertebrate feeding apparatus must transfer muscle force through tissues of differing material properties and complex geometries to a bite force. In many tetrapods, trabecular bone, cross-sectional geometry, and the mandibular symphysis are thought to influence bite force. Here we employ Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to investigate the effects of these variables on mandible function in Didelphis virginianis. We created 7 different FE models of varying cross-sectional properties (e.g., solid, only cortical bone, cortical bone and trabecular bone) and 5 different FE models of varying mandibular symphysis constructions. We compared the cross-sectional treatments against the second moment of area in select sections of the mandible. We found that trabecular bone most affects loading in the ramus. Conversely, cross-sectional geometry best predicts loading in the mandibular body. Finally, arrangement of tissues, but not material property of tissues, in the mandibular symphysis most affect loading patterns at the symphysis. These data provide valuable insights into the load transfer functions of the mandible and best practices for FEA.