Electric Resistance Changes in Costovertebra Joints with and without Spurs: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Kim Pil-Woo 
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Electricity is inherent in signal propagation in nerve cells for every reaction in the body. Moreover, every cell in the human body generates an electrical current traversing back and forth from inside to the outside of the cell. As such, electrons rapidly move around the whole body and generates some form of an electric field (EF) depending on the circumstances. EF stimulation has been used in wound healing and neural regeneration. Direct current EF plays a role in influencing the biological behavior and functions of the cells. Even if the cadavers were not living organisms, electricity from an external source could travel depending on the cadaver’s structural condition. The sympathetic chain ganglion is a nerve cell body outside of the spinal cord cavity. It is located anterior to the costovertebral joints. In the cadaver model, it is easy to see bony spurs in the thoracic vertebra near the sympathetic chain ganglion. The unique characteristics of the spurs may influence the electric field or currency in and around the sympathetic chain ganglion.

Aim

This study will explain the relationship between spinal degeneration or joint lesion and nerve signal changes. Eventually, it can explain the disease process by the nerve signal.

Method

Cadavers in the dissection lab for classes were being used. An ohmmeter (Rigol DM3058e) was used for measuring the electric resistance. Measurements were taken between the costovertebral joints in the sympathetic chain. The segment was recorded with and without bony spurs. Three cadavers were measured in 5 different segments from T2‐T7 along the segment of the costovertebral joints.

Results

Bony spurs varied in size within the segment. There was greater resistance associated with bigger spurs. Case 1 had bony spurs located in T3, T4, T5, and T6. Especially T4 and T5 had larger bony spurs near the costovertebral joint. T2–3 had 1.35 mΩ, T3–4 had 1.32mΩ, T4–5 had 1.38mΩ, T5–6 had 1.29mΩ, and T6–7 had 1.09mΩ (Figure
1.). Case 2 had bony spurs in T2,3 and 4. T3 had a larger bony spur. T2–3 had 1.42mΩ, T3–4 had 1.20mΩ, T4–5 had 1.10mΩ, T5–6 had 1.06mΩ, and T6–7 had 0.98mΩ (Figure
2.). Case 3 had a large bony spur in T6. T2–3 had 0.48mΩ, T3–4 had 0.56mΩ, T4–5 had 0.43mΩ, T5–6 had 0.89mΩ, and T6–7 had 0.63mΩ. Based on these data, the electrical resistance was increased with the larger bony spurs.

Conclusion

Electricity is everywhere in the human body. Normally, body electricity is alternating current (AC). Ohm's law is mostly for direct current (DC), but is still applicable to AC. The results of this study revealed that bony spurs increase the electric resistance in the area along the sympathetic chain ganglion and that increased size of the bony spur increased the resistance.
Based on ohm’s law, if the amperage is held constant, an increase of resistance requires an increase of voltage. The sympathetic chain ganglion is a multipolar neuron. It is possible that a site with increased electric resistance may increase the resting potential voltage of the nerve cell. In this case, the nerve cell may demonstrate limited stimulation compared to the nerve cell with no spurs in it, or it may generate higher than normal voltage to reach depolarization. If the latter is true, vertebra degeneration may induce unwanted sympathetic stimulation and increase the sensitivity of the smooth muscle in the body.

Support or Funding Information

Indiana Wesleyan University

Case 1. Posterior thoracic wall. The arrows were the bony spurs. The dots were the point of electrodes for the measurement.

Figure 1

Case 2. Posterior thoracic wall. The arrows were the bony spurs. The dots were the point of electrodes for the measurement.

Figure 2