{"Equipment":"\n","Procedure":"

\n\t1.    Set up the microCT equipment.
\n\t2.    Ensure femurs are separated from the tibias.
\n\t3.    Place femurs into a 6mm cylindrical acrylic tube with distal end downwards and the intercondylar fossa pointing towards you, and fill up with 70 % ethanol.
\n\t4.    Enter sample information on the machine and insert tubes into the microCT equipment and start scanning.
\n\ta.    The scan should contain the distal femur epiphysis and at least 250 slices proximal to the distal growth plate.
\n\t 

\n","Purpose":"

To assess the trabecular morphology of a femur.

","Experimental Design":"
\n\t\n
\n

\n\t 

\n","Notes":"

Data analysis

1. Use the end point of the growth plate (where the 4 marrow cavities join) as a reference point. The analysis should be performed on a 1 mm section beginning 100 µm proximal to the reference point.
2. Define the trabecular region manually by drawing a circle / oval on the inside surface of the cortical bone area for at least every 20 slices and then contour automatically, correcting manually if needed.
3. Contour automatically for all the other slices correcting manually if it is not accurate between the drawn slices.
4. Measure the trabecular properties based on the contouring.

"}