Bones and nonlinear dynamics - The quantification of architecture

In order to quantify the internal architecture of a bone in a holistic manner based on radiological images, the methodology of nonlinear dynamics was applied. Image processing algorithms, an expansion of symbolic dynamics, and five measures of complexity were introduced to quantify the trabecular part of human lumbar vertebral bodies. Healthy vertebral bones have a complex and ordered architecture with a high degree of spatiodynamics. Pathology changes the architecture significantly and can be quantified by measures of complexity.