局部应用透明质酸钠对手及前臂屈肌腱粘连的预防

目的:观察局部应用透明质酸钠预防屈肌腱粘连、恢复手功能的效果。方法:于2001-03/2003-07观察哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院骨外科屈肌腱损伤修复使用透明质酸钠患者32例(53条屈肌腱)。在对手及前臂Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ区屈肌腱损伤应用改良Kessler缝合法缝接肌腱的同时,将透明质酸钠注射到腱鞘内或喷涂于肌腱缝合口周围,术后在外固定保护位下早期进行功能康复锻炼;同期选取31例52条屈肌腱损伤同法修复,但术中不应用透明质酸钠,以作为对照。两组均在术后6个月随访。并参照中华医学会手外科学会手部肌腱修复后评定标准,按手指总主动活动度(TAM)法加以检测伤手功能以评估疗效。结果:透明质酸钠组32例53条肌腱随访26例46条肌腱,随访率81%;对照组31例患者52条屈肌腱损全部获得随访,随访率100%。随访时间6个月。透明质酸钠组随访46条肌腱,效果优良者为40条,优良率为87%,未用透明质酸钠的对照组随访52条肌腱,效果优良者为35条,优良率为67%,两组差异有显著性(χ2=5.1;P<0.05)。结论:手及前臂Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ区屈肌腱损伤术中应用透明质酸钠可预防和减轻屈肌腱术后粘连,显著促进伤手功能的康复。

Automated body composition analysis system based on chest CT for evaluating content of muscle and adipose

Objective To establish a body composition analysis system based on chest CT,and to observe its value for evaluating content of chest muscle and adipose.Methods T7—T8 layer CT images of 108 pneumonia patients were collected(segmented dataset),and chest CT data of 984 patients were screened from the COVID 19-CT dataset(10 cases were randomly selected as whole test dataset,the remaining 974 cases were selected as layer selection dataset).T7—T8 layer was classified based on convolutional neural network(CNN)derived networks,including ResNet,ResNeXt,MobileNet,ShuffleNet,DenseNet,EfficientNet and ConvNeXt,then the accuracy,precision,recall and specificity were used to evaluate the performance of layer selection dataset.The skeletal muscle(SM),subcutaneous adipose tissue(SAT),intermuscular adipose tissue(IMAT)and visceral adipose tissue(VAT)were segmented using classical fully CNN(FCN)derived network,including FCN,SegNet,UNet,Attention UNet,UNET++,nnUNet,UNeXt and CMUNeXt,then Dice similarity coefficient(DSC),intersection over union(IoU)and 95 Hausdorff distance(HD)were used to evaluate the performance of segmented dataset.The automatic body composition analysis system was constructed based on optimal layer selection network and segmentation network,the mean absolute error(MAE),root mean squared error(RMSE)and standard deviation(SD)of MAE were used to evaluate the performance of automatic system for testing the whole test dataset.Results The accuracy,precision,recall and specificity of DenseNet network for automatically classifying T7—T8 layer from chest CT images was 95.06%,84.83%,92.27%and 95.78%,respectively,which were all higher than those of the other layer selection networks.In segmentation of SM,SAT,IMAT and overall,DSC and IoU of UNet++network were all higher,while 95HD of UNet++network were all lower than those of the other segmentation networks.Using DenseNet as the layer selection network and UNet++as the segmentation network,MAE of the automatic body composition analysis system for predicting SM,SAT,IMAT,VAT and MAE was 27.09,6.95,6.65 and 3.35 cm 2,respectively.Conclusion The body composition analysis system based on chest CT could be used to assess content of chest muscle and adipose.Among them,the UNet++network had better segmentation performance in adipose tissue than SM.

Study on the Muscle Histological Characteristics of Haimen Goats

[Objective] The aim was to study the effect of the muscle histological characteristics of Haimen goats on meat quality.[Method] Twelve-month-old Haimen goats and Bore × Haimen F1（♂）were used as the materials to systematically research the muscle histological properties of different sexes and muscles.[Result] The results revealed that the muscle fiber area and myofibril diameter,sarcomere length,light band length,dark band length,hall band length of quadriceps femoris of Haimen female goats were extremely significantly higher than male goats（P〈0.01）;However,that of longissimus dorsi muscle was extremely significantly lower than male goats（P〈0.01）.There was significant difference（P〈0.05）or extremely significant difference（P〈0.01）between muscle microstructure and ultrastructure among the same sex and different muscles.There were a large number of mitochondria,glycogen granules and fat droplet within muscle fiber from Haimen male goats,which indicated that oxidative metabolism rate was high,water retention was good and the meat was tender,succulent and distinct.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for breeding,development and utilization of Haimen goats and variety evaluation of local goats in China.

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of Beta-actin Gene Full Length cDNA from Trachidermus fasciatus

[Objective] The purpose of this experiment was to reveal the sequence and characteristics of Trachidermus fasciatus beta-actin gene.[Method] Using total RNA of muscle in T.fasciatus as template,three cDNA fragments of beta-actin gene in T.fasciatus were amplified by RT-PCR,5＇-RACE and 3＇-RACE.[Result] A full-length of 1905 bp beta-actin cDNA sequence in T.fasciatus,which includes a 1128 bp length open reading frame encoding a 375-amino acid peptide,was obtained.Sequence alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequence revealed that T.fasciatus beta-actin shared high homology with that of Epinephelus coioides,Rachycentron canadum,Chrysophrys auratus and of relatively low homology with mammalian and bird.The phylogenetic analysis showed that T.fasciatus beta-actin had closest relationship with Epinephelus coioides.And RT-PCR analysis suggested that the beta-actin gene expressed in four tissues,i.e.,muscle,liver,intestine and brain.[Conclusion] The full length sequence of beta-actin gene with high conservation in T.fasciatus was obtained for the first time.

Histologic Classification of Thymoma and Its Relationship with Myasthenia Gravis and Clinical Stages of the Tumor

Objective： To investigate the relationship among the latest WHO classification of thymoma, myasthenia gravis （MG） and clinical stages. Methods： To review the pathological sections of 74 patients with thymoma from 1980-2004 using WHO classification （1999）, the statistical software was used to analyze the relationship among the WHO classification, MG and clinical stages. Results： （1） Two cases of type A, 23 cases of type AB, 4 cases of type B1, 27 cases of type B2, 16 cases of type B3 and 2 cases of type C were classified. Type B2 more likely accompanied MG （P〈0.05）, while none with MG occurred for type C. （2） One patient was in stage Ⅰ, 30 were in stage Ⅱ, 38 were in stage Ⅲ, and 5 were in stage Ⅳ. The latest histologic classification was significantly correlated with Masaoka stages （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The latest WHO classification was correlated with occurrence of MG and finely reflected clinical stage. It can also evaluate the prognosis of patients.

Intermittent hypoxia attenuates ischemia/reperfusion induced apoptosis in cardiac myocytes via regulating Bcl-2/Bax expression

Intermittent hypoxia has been shown to provide myocardial protection against ishemia/reperfusion-induced injury.Cardiac myocyte loss through apoptosis has been reported in ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our aim was to investigate whether intermittent hypoxia could attenuate ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis in cardiac myocytes and its potential mechanisms. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to hypoxia simulated 5000 m in a hypobaric chamber for 6 h/day, lasting 42 days. Normoxia group rats were kept under normoxic conditions. Isolated perfused hearts from both groups were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion.Incidence of apoptosis in cardiac myocytes was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Expressions of apoptosis related proteins,Bax and Bcl-2, in cytosolic and membrane fraction were detected by Western Blotting. After ischemia/reperfusion,enhanced recovery of cardiac function was observed in intermittent hypoxia hearts compared with normoxia group.Ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by TUNEL-positive nuclei and DNA fragmentation, was significantly reduced in intermittent hypoxia group compared with normoxia group. After ischemia/reperfusion,expression of Bax in both cytosolic and membrane fractions was decreased in intermittent hypoxia hearts compared with normoxia group. Although ischemia/reperfusion did not induce changes in the level of Bcl-2 expression in cytosolic fraction between intermittent hypoxia and normoxia groups, the expression of Bcl-2 in membrane fraction was upregulated in intermittent hypoxia group compared with normoxia group. These results indicated that the cardioprotection of intermittent hypoxia against ischemia/reperfusion injury appears to be in part due to reduce myocardial apoptosis. Intermittent hypoxia attenuated ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis via increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, especially in membrane fraction.

Tissue engineering for neuromuscular disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

The digestive tract is designed for the optimal processing of food that nourishes all organ systems.The esophagus,stomach,small bowel,and colon are sophisticated neuromuscular tubes with specialized sphincters that transport ingested food-stuffs from one region to another.Peristaltic contractions move ingested solids and liquids from the esophagus into the stomach;the stomach mixes the ingested nutrients into chyme and empties chyme from the stomach into the duodenum.The to-and-fro movement of the small bowel maximizes absorption of fat,protein,and carbohydrates.Peristaltic contractions are necessary for colon function and defecation.

Changes of smooth muscle contractile filaments in small bowel atresia

AIM:To investigate morphological changes of intestinal smooth muscle contractile fibres in small bowel atresia patients.METHODS:Resected small bowel specimens from small bowel atresia patients(n = 12) were divided into three sections(proximal,atretic and distal).Standard histology hematoxylin-eosin staining and enzyme immunohistochemistry was performed to visualize smooth muscle contractile markers-smooth muscle actin(SMA) and desmin using conventional paraffin sections of the proximal and distal bowel.Small bowel from agematched patients(n = 2) undergoing Meckel's diverticulum resection served as controls.RESULTS:The smooth muscle coat in the proximal bowel of small bowel atresia patients was thickened compared with control tissue,but the distal bowel was unchanged.Expression of smooth muscle contractile fibres SMA and desmin within the proximal bowel was slightly reduced compared with the distal bowel and control tissue.There were no major differences in the architecture of the smooth muscle within the proximal bowel and the distal bowel.The proximal and distal bowel in small bowel atresia patients revealed only minimal differences regarding smooth muscle morphology and the presence of smooth muscle contractile filament markers.CONCLUSION:Changes in smooth muscle contractile filaments do not appear to play a major role in postoperative motility disorders in small bowel atresia.

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of rat myocardial capillary endothelial cells in response to diabetes and hypertension

Insufficient growth and rarefaction of capillaries, followed by endothelial dysfunction may represent one of the most critical mechanisms involved in heart damage. In this study we examined histochemical and ultrastructural changes in myocardial capillary endothelium in two models of heart failure streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus （STZ） and NO-deficient hypertension in male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by a single i.v. dose of STZ （45 mg/kg） and chronic 9-week stage was analysed. To induce NO-deficient hypertension, animals were treated with inhibitor of NO synthase Lnitroarginine methylester （L-NAME） （40 mg/kg） for 4 weeks. Left ventricular tissue was processed for enzyme catalytic histochemistry of capillary alkaline phosphatase （A1Ph）, dipeptidyl peptidase IV （DPP IV）, and endothelial NO synthase/NADPH-diaphorase （NOS） and for ultrastructural analysis. In diabetic and hypertensive rats, lower/absent A1Ph and DPP IV activities were found in focal micro-areas. NOS activity was significantly reduced and persisted only locally. Quantitative evaluation demonstrated reduction of reaction product intensity of A1Ph, DPP and NOS by 49.50%,74.36%, 20.05% in diabetic and 62.93%, 82.71%, 37.65% in hypertensive rats. Subcellular alterations of endothelial cells were found in heart of both groups suggesting injury of capillary function as well as compensatory processes. Endothelial injury was more significant in diabetic animals, in contrast the adaptation was more evident in hypertensive ones. Concluding： both STZ-induced diabetes- and NO-deficient hypertension-related cardiomyopathy were accompanied by similar features of structural remodelling of cardiac capillary network manifested as angiogenesis and angiopathy. The latter was however, predominant and may accelerate disappearance of capillary endothelium contributing to myocardial dysfunction.

Quantitative comparison of the expression of myogenic regulatory factors in flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus) embryos and adult tissues

MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin are myogenic regulatory factors that play important roles during myogenesis. It is thought that MyoD and Myf5 are required for myogenic determination, while myogenin is important for terminal differentiation and lineage maintenance. To better understand the function of myogenic regulatory factors in muscle development of flounder, an important economic fish in Asia, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the expression patterns of MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin at early stages of embryo development, and in different tissues of the adult flounder. The results show that, MyJ5 is the first gene to be expressed during the early stages of flounder development, followed by MyoD and myogenin. The expressions ofMyf5, MyoD, and myogenin at the early stages have a common characteristic： expression gradually increased to a peak level, and then gradually decreased to an extremely low level. In the adult flounder, the expression of the three genes in muscle is much higher than that in other tissues, indicating that they are important for muscle growth and maintenance of grown fish. During embryonic stages, the expression level of MyoD might serve an important role in the balance between muscle cell differentiation and proliferation. When the MyoD expression is over 30% of its highest level, the muscle cells enter the differentiation stage.

Rheological Properties and Structural Changes in Different Sections of Boiled Abalone Meat

Changes in tissue structures, rheological properties of cross- and vertical section boiled abalone meat were studied in relation to boiling time. The adductor muscle of abalone Haliotis discus which was removed from the shell, was boiled for 1, 2, and 3 h, respectively. Then it was cut up and separated into cross- and vertical section meat. When observed by a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope, structural changes in the myofibrils were greatest in the cross section meat compared with the vertical section meat. When boiling time was increased from 1 h to 3 h, the instantaneous modulus E 0 and rupture strength of both section meat decreased gradually with increased boiling time, and no significant differences were observed between these two section meat for the same boiling time. When boiled for 1 h, the relaxation time of cross section meat was much longer than that of vertical section meat. There were no significant changes in the relaxation time of vertical section for different boiling time, but the relaxation time of cross section meat was reduced gradually with increasing boiling time. These results confirmed that the difference in rheological properties between the cross- and vertical section meat was mainly due to the denaturation level of myofibrils when heated for 1 h, as well as due to the changes in the amount of denatured proteins, and the manner in which the inner denatured protein components weve exchanged after boiling time was increased from 1 h to 3 h.

Protective effects of erythropoietin pretreatment on myocardium with hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in rats

Objective: To establish the rat model with myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury, and investigate the protective effect of EPO pretreatment on the myocardium. Methods: Sixty male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, H/R group, and EPO group, 20 in each group. The rats in EPO group accepted injection of 5 000 U/kg recombinant human erythropoietin (RHuEPO) through vein, and the other rats accepted the injection of the same volume of saline. Twenty-four hours after the injection, rats in the EPO and H/R groups were put into the hypoxia environment for 12 h and then returned to the normoxic environment for 2 h, and then the samples of blood and myocardium were collected. Serum myocardial enzyme activity, apoptosis, ultrastructure, myocardial MDA contents, EPO receptor (EPOR) expression in cardiac myocytes and cardiac functions were tested. Results: EPOR expression was positive in cardiac myocytes of adult rat according to the result of immunonistochemitry assaying. Compared to those in H/R group, rats in EPO group presented lighter injury of myocardial ultrastructure, the reduction of serum myocardial enzyme activity, inhibition of apoptosis, the better recovery of cardiac functions, and the less production of oxygen-derived free radicals. Conclusion: Adult rat cardiac myocytes could express EPOR, and EPO pretreatment produced protective effects on myocardium with H/R injury.

Tissue-engineered graft constructed by self-derived cells and heterogeneous acellular matrix

Background： Endothelial and smooth muscle cells were used as seeding cells and heterogeneous acellularized matrix was used as scaffold to construct the tissue-engineered graft. Methods： A 2 weeks piglet was selected as a donor of seeding cells. Two-centimetre length of common carotid artery was dissected. Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were harvested by trypsin and collagenase digestion respectively. The isolated cells were cultured and expanded using routine cell culture technique. An adult sheep was used as a donor of acellularized matrix. The thoracic aorta was harvested and processed by a multi-step decellularizing technique to remove the original cells and preserve the elastic and collagen fibers. The cultured smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were then seeded to the acellularized matrix and incubated in vitro for another 2 weeks. The cell seeded graft was then transplanted to the cell-donated piglet to substitute part of the native pulmonary artery. Results： The cultured cells from piglet were characterized as endothelial cells by the presence of specific antigens vWF and CD31, and smooth muscle cells by the presence of specific antigen a-actin on the cell surface respectively with immunohistochemical technique. After decellularizing processing for the thoracic aorta from sheep, all the cellular components were extracted and elastic and collagen fibers kept their original morphology and structure. The maximal load of acellular matrix was decreased and 20% lower than that of untreated thoracic aorta, but the maximal tensions between them were not different statistically and they had similar load-tension curves. Three months after transplantation, the animal was sacrificed and the graft was removed for observation. The results showed that the inner surfaces of the graft were smooth, without thrombosis and calcification. Under microscopy, a great number of growing cells could be seen and elastic and collagen fibers were abundant. Conclusion： Cultured self-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells could be used as seeding cells and heterogeneous acellularized matrix could be used as scaffold in constructing tissue-engineered graft.

Effects of continuous intermedin infusion on blood pressure and hemodynamic function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective To examine the effects of exogenously administered intermedin （IMD,adrenomedullin-2） on arterial blood pressure,cardiac function and the cardiovascular IMD receptor system in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） as well as to investigate the associated mechanisms.Methods Thirteen week-old male rats were divided in Wistar Kyoto （WKY） group （n =12）,SHR group （n =12）,IMD group （SHRs infused with IMD 1-47 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12）,and ADM group （SHRs infused with adrenomedullin 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12）.Results A two-week continuous administration of low dose IMD 1-47 via mini-osmotic pumps markedly reduced blood pressure,the maximal rates of increase and decrease of left-ventricle pressure development （LV ± dp/dtmax）,left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate in SHRs.Furthermore,IMD also inhibited protein over-expression of cardiovascular IMD receptors,myocardial Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins （RAMP1 and RAMP2）,aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3,and calcitonin receptor-like receptor （CRLR）;suppressed up-regulation of aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3 and CRLR gene expression; and markedly elevated the mRNA abundance of myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP） and myocardial brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）.Additionally,IMD 1-47 administration in SHRs increased aortic cAMP concentration and reduced myocardial cAMP concentration.Conclusion These findings support the speculation that IMD,as a cardiovascular active peptide,is involved in blood pressure reduction and cardiac function amelioration during hypertension.The mechanism underlying this effect may involve IMD binding of a receptor complex formed by RAMPs and CRLR,and consequential regulation of cAMP levels and other cardiovascular active factors,such as ANP and BNP.

Unexplainable development of a hydatid cyst

Echinococcosis is a cyclozoonosis characterized by cystic lesions usually situated inside or outside the liver. We discuss the case of a 77-year-old woman with a recurrent hydatidosis with a cyst arising from the liver, growing through the lateral right abdomen wall, and reaching the subcutaneous tissue of the lumbar region. In the literature, rare subcutaneous or muscular Iocalizations of hydatid cysts are described, however, there is no mention of a cyst growing over the abdominal wall muscles, shaped like an hourglass, partially in the liver and partially in the subcutaneous tissue, as in our case. We have not found any pathogenetic explanation for this growth pattern which is not typical of the biological behaviour of a hydatid cyst.

A narrative review of the success of intramuscular gluteal injections and its impact in psychiatry

There are 12 billion injections given worldwide every year. For many injections, the intramuscular route is favoured over the subcutaneous route due to the increased vascularity of muscle tissue and the corresponding increase in the bioavailability of drugs when administered intramuscularly. This paper is a review of the variables that affect the success of intramuscular injections and the implications that these success rates have in psychiatry and general medicine. Studies have shown that the success rates of intended intramuscular injections vary between 32 and 52%, with the rest potentially resulting in inadvertent subcutaneous drug deposition. These rates are found to be even lower for certain at-risk populations, such as obese patients and those on antipsychotic medications. The variables associated with an increased risk of injection failure include female sex, obesity, site of injection, and subcutaneous fat depth. New guidelines and methods are needed in order to address this challenge and ensure that patients receive optimum care. Looking forward, the best way to improve the delivery of intramuscular injections worldwide is to develop uniform algorithms or innovative medical devices to confirm or guarantee successful delivery at the bedside.

Malignant Adenomyoepithelioma of the Vulva: One Case Report and Literatures Review

Introduction Adenomyoepithelioma （AME） is uncommon characterized by biphasic proliferation of both epithelial and myoepithelial cells. More than half of the adenomyoepitheliomas （AME） are benign, but in rare instances, it may become malignant. Malignant adenomyoepitheliomas almost always occur in the breast and salivary gland. They are unusual in vulva. We report this case and provide some information about symptoms, microstructure, treatment, and a discussion about this kind of disease.

Expression Analysis of the Insulin-Like Growth Factors Ⅰ and Ⅱ During Embryonic and Early Larval Development of Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)

The insulin-like growth factors Ⅰ and Ⅱ （IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ） are important proteins involved in fish growth and develop- ment. Here, we report the isolation of IGF-Ⅱ and expression analysis of IGFs in turbot Scophthalmus maximus, aiming to clarify their function in embryonic and larval development of fish. The deduced IGF-Ⅱ gene is 808 bp in full length, which encodes a protein of 219 amino acids and is 93% similar with that ofParalichthys olicaceus in amino acid sequence. The tissue abundance and the ex- pression pattern of IGFs in a turbot at early development stages were investigated via reverse transcription-polymer chain reaction. Result showed that the IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ genes were widely expressed in tissues of S. maximus. IGF-Ⅰ was detected in all tissues ex- cept intestines with the highest level in liver, while IGF-Ⅱ transcript presented in all tissues except muscle. At the stages of embry- onic and larval development, the mRNA levels of IGFs sharply increased from the stage of unfertilized egg to post larva, followed by a decrease with larval development. However, there was an increase in IGF-Ⅰ at the embryonic stage and IGF-Ⅱ at the gastrula stage, respectively. These results suggested that IGFs play important roles in cell growth and division of the turbot. Our study provides reference data for further investigation of growth regulation in turbot, which can guarantee better understanding of the physiological role that IGFs play in fish.

Transfer of Heavy Metal Contaminants from Animal Feed to Animal Products

Study was conducted to assess the possible transfer of heavy metals from livestock feeds to animal products. In experiment-l, samples （n = 503） collected from conventional farms in Central Greece were analysed for heavy metal Copper （Cu）, Zinc （Zn）, Cadmium （Cd）, Lead （Pb）, Nickel （Ni） and Chromium （Cr） contents in muscle tissues, livers, kidneys, excremental and basic mixtures in livestock such as cows and sheep. Results showed that transfer of heavy metal contaminants from feed to animal products fluctuated below the permissible risk levels. In experiment 2, samples （n = 440） of feedstuffs used in different feeding regimens and seasons at different livestock farms [sheep （n = 140）, dairy cows （n = 180）, pigs （n = 120）] were collected. Results showed that relatively high concentration of Cu in the excrements of pigs （155 ＋ 9.13） and Zn in the excrements of sheep （144.56 ＋ 5.78） are explained by the use of Cu in the diet of developing piglets and sheep. Ovine showed higher concentration ofNi, Cr, and Pb in their excrements, while, the concentration of heavy metals in forages was under the allowed range to the EU legislation.

Normative Measurements of Extraocular Musculature by Multislice Computed Tomography

Objective To establish the normal measurements of diameter of extraocular muscles (EOMs) by multislice computed tomography (CT). Methods Orbits of 50 volunteers (25 male and 25 female) were scanned with a multislice CT scanner. For each subject, one axial image at the central level of the eyeball, one coronal image about 1 cm behind globe, and two oblique sagittal images respectively along the left and right optic nerve were used for measurements of the thickness and width of EOMs. The statistic significance of measurement value between male and female and between left and right eyes was evaluated. Results There were no significant differences in the thickness and width of superior muscle group, lateral rectus, medial rectus, lateral rectus, superior oblique, inferior oblique and the thickness of levator palpebrae superioris between the left and right eyes as well as between male and female groups (all P>0.05). The thickness of superior muscle group and inferior rectus had not significant difference (2.9±0.7 vs. 3.3±0.8 mm, P=0.162), while the thickness of medial rectus was significantly higher than that of lateral rectus (3.1±0.5 vs. 2.2±0.6 mm, P=0.000). Conclusions The CT measurement of extraocular musculature is simple and time-saving and can be applied in the clinical work. The normative data obtained may be useful in determining pathologic enlargement of the EOMs in both thyroid-associated orbitopathy patients and other various orbital conditions.