scholarly journals An Anatomical and Radiographic Study on the Vertebral Column of the Two-Toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni)

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Maripaz Chinchilla-Barboza ◽  
Siam Chiquillo-Vergara ◽  
Valeria Delgado-Álvarez ◽  
Susan Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez ◽  
Johnny Steven Mora-Aleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Radiographic Study ◽  
Proper Understanding ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae

The Choloepus Hoffmani is a mammal belonging to the Xenarthra superorder; xenarthrans are distributed from North to South America. It is common for these animals to require medical attention at wildlife rescue centers after being attacked by domestic animals or run over by cars. A proper understanding of this species’ anatomy is vital in order to be able to offer them a proper level of clinical attention. This publication aims to describe the spine’s anatomical and radiographic characteristics of the Choloepus Hoffmani. Four individuals were used in this research; the spine bones were cleaned by boiling and maceration. In the results, it was possible to observe how the postcranial axial skeleton in the sloths is made up by five of distinctive vertebra types. In the spine were found: six cervical vertebrae, a variable number of thoracic vertebrae, xenarthrous lumbar vertebrae, and a fusion between the sacrum and coxal bone. Finally, four underdeveloped caudal vertebrae were also identified in a small stump-like tail. Radiographically, no pathologies were observed in the alignment or structure of the spine. In conclusion, the present study described both the osteology alongside the anatomical radiography of the vertebral column of the Choloepus hoffmani, highlighting the particularities that are not found in domestic mammals and other members of the Xenarthra superorder. Information of this kind is relevant for forensic wildlife analysis, alongside aiding the treatment of animals in this species who suffered lesions in their spine.

The locomotor system

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Central Canal ◽  
The Body ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Locomotor System

The locomotor system comprises the skeleton, composed principally of bone and cartilage, the joints between them, and the muscles which move bones at joints. The skeleton forms a supporting framework for the body and provides the levers to which the muscles are attached to produce movement of parts of the body in relation to each other or movement of the body as a whole in relation to its environment. The skeleton also plays a crucial role in the protection of internal organs. The skeleton is shown in outline in Figure 2.1A. The skull, vertebral column, and ribs together constitute the axial skeleton. This forms, as its name implies, the axis of the body. The skull houses and protects the brain and the eyes and ears; the anatomy of the skull is absolutely fundamental to the understanding of the structure of the head and is covered in detail in Section 4. The vertebral column surrounds and protects the spinal cord which is enclosed in the spinal canal formed by a large central canal in each vertebra. The vertebral column is formed from 33 individual bones although some of these become fused together. The vertebral column and its component bones are shown from the side in Figure 2.1B. There are seven cervical vertebrae in the neck, twelve thoracic vertebrae in the posterior wall of the thorax, five lumbar vertebrae in the small of the back, five fused sacral vertebrae in the pelvis, and four coccygeal vertebrae—the vestigial remnants of a tail. Intervertebral discs separate individual vertebrae from each other and act as a cushion between the adjacent bones; the discs are absent from the fused sacral vertebrae. The cervical vertebrae are small and very mobile, allowing an extensive range of neck movements and hence changes in head position. The first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis, have unusual shapes and specialized joints that allow nodding and shaking movements of the head on the neck. The thoracic vertebrae are relatively immobile. combination of thoracic vertebral column, ribs, and sternum form the thoracic cage that protects the thoracic organs, the heart, and lungs and is intimately involved in ventilation (breathing).

scholarly journals Anatomo-radiographic description of the axial skeleton of the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 01-03 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janaína D. Barisson ◽  
Cristiane H. Louro ◽  
Sheila J.T. Dias ◽  
Flávio S. Jojima ◽  
Murilo S. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
The Other ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
The Third ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
Cerdocyon Thous

The aim of this study was to describe the axial skeleton of a wild Brazilian carnivorous, the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). Five specimens of crab-eating fox were previously unfrozen for radiographic exams and their bones went through dissection and chemical maceration. This animal presents seven cervical vertebrae, and from the third on, they become shorter and wider than the other ones e the spinous process was makeable from the fifth cervical vertebrae on. There are thirteen thoracic vertebrae and the spinous process of the lumbar vertebrae, which are seven, decreases from the fifth on. The sacrum is formed by two vertebrae and there are twenty or twenty one caudal vertebrae. It can be concluded that the crab-eating fox axial skeleton is similar to that of the domestic dog.

Gross Morphological Studies on the Vertebral Column of Indian Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Sridevi ◽  
K. Rajalakshmi ◽  
M. Sivakumar ◽  
A. Karthikeyan
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Cervical Vertebra ◽  
Neural Spine ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Post Mortem Examination ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Eagle Owl

Background: Indian eagle owl known to rotate their necks up to 270 degrees in either direction without injuring their vessels running below the head thereby without cutting off blood supply to their brains. The vertebral column in birds carry peculiar features like higher number of cervical vertebrae due to long mobile neck, lumbar and sacral vertebrae fused together giving rigidity which aid in flight. The extensive fusion of vertebral column posterior to the neck provides the required rigidity in the trunk region, this inflexibility feature might reduce weight, as it avoids the need for extensive musculature to maintain a streamlined and rigid body posture during flight. The current study aimed to study the vertebral column of Indian eagle owl in order to understand the anatomical adaptations related to this species. Methods: The specimens were procured from three Indian eagle owl brought for post mortem examination during the year 2019 to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Puducherry. After completion of the post-mortem examination the carcass was collected and macerated as per the standard technique and various measurements on vertebral column bones were measured using vernier calliper. Result: The study revealed that vertebral column of Indian eagle owl consisted of 14 cervical vertebrae, 7 thoracic vertebrae, 13 to 14 lumbar vertebrae fused with sacral vertebrae forming synsacrum and 7 coccygeal vertebrae. The hypapophyses of the 14th cervical vertebra and first two thoracic vertebrae were trifid in nature specific feature seen in Indian eagle owl. The vertebral column had characteristics features of hypapophyses, transverse process, pneumatic foramen and neural spine which enable the owl to adapt for head rotation and various task involving vertebrae.

The face and superficial neck

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Odontoid Process ◽  
Cervical Vertebra ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
The Body ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
The Face

The surface anatomies of the face and neck and their supporting structures that can be palpated have been described in Chapter 20. It is now time to move to the structures that lie under the skin but which cannot be identified by touch starting with the neck and moving up on to the face and scalp. The cervical vertebral column comprises the seven cervical vertebrae and the intervening intervertebral discs. These have the same basic structure as the thoracic vertebrae described in Section 10.1.1. Examine the features of the cervical vertebra shown in Figure 23.1 and compare it with the thoracic vertebra shown in Figure 10.3. You will see that cervical vertebrae have a small body and a large vertebral foramen. They also have two distinguishing features, a bifid spinous process and a transverse foramen, piercing each transverse process; the vertebral vessels travel through these foramina. The first and second vertebrae are modified. The first vertebra, the atlas, has no body. Instead, it has two lateral masses connected by anterior and posterior arches. The lateral masses have concave superior facets which articulate with the occipital condyles where nodding movements of the head take place at the atlanto-occipital joints. The second cervical vertebra, the axis, has a strong odontoid process (or dens because of its supposed resemblance to a tooth) projecting upwards from its body. This process is, in fact, the body of the first vertebra which has fused with the body of the axis instead of being incorporated into the atlas. The front of the dens articulates with the back of the anterior arch of the atlas; rotary (shaking) movements of the head occur at this joint. The seventh cervical vertebra has a very long spinous process which is easily palpable. The primary curvature of the vertebral column is concave forwards and this persists in the thoracic and pelvic regions. In contrast, the cervical and lumbar parts of the vertebral column are convexly curved anteriorly. These anterior curvatures are secondary curvatures which appear in late fetal life. The cervical curvature becomes accentuated in early childhood as the child begins to support its own head and the lumbar curve develops as the child begins to sit up.

The Axial Skeletons of Sunghir 1, 2, and 3

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Trinkaus ◽  
Alexandra P. Buzhilova ◽  
Maria B. Mednikova ◽  
Maria V. Dobrovolskaya
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Costal Cartilage ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Age At Death ◽  
Vertebral Bodies ◽  
Length Scaling

Given their burial positions, on their backs with the trunks and limbs extended, the Sunghir 1 to 3 individuals should have retained major portions of their axial skeletons. This is the case for Sunghir 2 and 3, both of whom retain all of the cervical vertebrae, most of their thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and major portions of their sacra. Sunghir 2 preserves portions of 23 of the 24 ribs, and Sunghir 3 retains at least a small piece of each of her 24 ribs. Moreover her left fifth and sixth ribs lack only their costal cartilage surfaces. Only Sunghir 3 preserves any elements of the sternum, two partial and separated sternebral segments. In contrast, despite the apparent presence of major portions of the axial skeleton in situ, little remains of the Sunghir 1 vertebrae, ribs, or sternum. The cervical vertebrae are absent, unless pieces of them are mixed with the collection of what appear to be thoracic and lumbar fragments. Only two vertebrae remain reasonably intact, the T1 and T2. There are eight pieces of vertebral bodies, one of which has a pathological growth (chapter 17). The ribs consist of small pieces, except for a largely intact left first rib. Although evident in the in situ photographs, nothing remains of the manubrium. There is also a piece of distal middle rib, which is of use for the age-at-death assessment. Some of the vertebral and rib pieces have been sacrificed over the years for direct radiocarbon dating (e.g., Kuzmin et al. 2004). Others pieces, heavily fissured and hence probably descending into fragments during excavation, were only partially retained. There are nonetheless a few aspects of the Sunghir axial skeletons, beyond age assessments (chapter 6), the pathological lesions on the Sunghir 1 vertebrae (chapter 17), use of the sacra in the pelves (chapter 14), and body length scaling for Sunghir 2 and 3 (chapter 11), that are of interest.

Skeletal metastases in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): A retrospective analysis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 245-245
Author(s):  
Akshjot Puri ◽  
John Chang ◽  
Tomislav Dragovich ◽  
Patricia Lucente ◽  
Madappa N. Kundranda
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Skeletal Metastasis ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Skeletal Metastases ◽  
Initial Symptom ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Pathological Fractures

245 Background: Skeletal metastasis (SM) in advanced PDAC is an infrequent occurrence and has been previously reported to be < 2.5%. However; pathological fractures in these patients can result in intractable pain, immobilization and a significant deterioration in quality of life. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients (pts) with advanced PDAC receiving palliative chemotherapy. Data collection included age, gender, ECOG, sites of disease, and overall survival (OS). Statistical analysis included Kaplan Meier survival analysis. Results: The 135 pts included had a median age of 65.8 years (range: 53.7–91.3); 5 (31.2%) were women and 11 (68.7%) had an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1. A majority of patients received combination therapy that was either gemcitabine or 5-flurouracil based. Sixteen pts (11.8%) had skeletal metastasis with the primary tumor located in the pancreatic body/tail (11 pts - 68.7%).The sites of SM included thoracic vertebrae (8), lumbar vertebrae (5), pelvis (5), ribs (4), sacrum (4), scapula (3), acetabulum (2), cervical vertebrae (2), femoral head (2), sternum (1) and humerus head (1). A majority of the lesions were osteolytic (62.5%) with a median time of diagnosis of SM from initial diagnosis being 1.25 months (range 0-33). Bone pain was observed as the initial symptom in 5 pts (32%), 1 pt (6.2%) had a pathological fracture. The mOS for patients with SM was 6.5 months (range 0-38) when compared to 8 months (range 0-147) without SM.The mOS for pts treated with gemcitabine based regimen was 5.75 months (range 2.5-14), and patients who received multiple lines of therapy including gemcitabine and 5-FU based regimens was 15 months (range 5-38). Survival from onset of skeletal metastases ranged from 0-14 months (mOS: 4 months). Conclusions: More effective systemic therapies which improve mOS are likely to result in increased incidence of SM. The most common sites observed were the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and pathological fractures in these sites can be catastrophic. Therefore careful evaluation of skeletal signs and symptoms, early detection and intervention will be important to prevent morbidity and mortality from pathological fractures.

An associated partial skeleton of Symbos cavifrons (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) from Montezuma County, Colorado

1987 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 831-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry N. Mcdonald ◽  
Sarah W. Neusius ◽  
Vickie L. Clay
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
The Third ◽  
New Information ◽  
Four Corners ◽  
Loess Deposition ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Definition Of

A partial cranium and axial skeleton of an individual Symbos cavifrons were excavated in 1983 from the Mesa Verde Loess on Grass Mesa, Montezuma County, Colorado. Parts of at least 24 bones were recovered, including the first complete set of cervical vertebrae known for Symbos cavifrons. This individual, radiocarbon dated at 15,970 ± 155 yr B.P. (SI-6137), contributes to the definition of the southwestern edge of the range of the species and provides new information about the nature of the vertebral column. Pathologic constriction of the transverse canals is evident in the third and seventh cervical vertebrae. The pattern of bone distribution suggests that carnivores consumed part of this animal. The radiocarbon date also establishes the last major episode of loess deposition in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States.

scholarly journals Thoracic vertebral count and thoracolumbar transition in Australopithecus afarensis

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (23) ◽  
pp. 6000-6004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol V. Ward ◽  
Thierra K. Nalley ◽  
Fred Spoor ◽  
Paul Tafforeau ◽  
Zeresenay Alemseged
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Homo Erectus ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Australopithecus Afarensis ◽  
Australopithecus Africanus ◽  
African Apes ◽  
Thoracic Level ◽  
Thoracolumbar Transition ◽  
Considerable Discussion

The evolution of the human pattern of axial segmentation has been the focus of considerable discussion in paleoanthropology. Although several complete lumbar vertebral columns are known for early hominins, to date, no complete cervical or thoracic series has been recovered. Several partial skeletons have revealed that the thoracolumbar transition in early hominins differed from that of most extant apes and humans. Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus sediba, and Homo erectus all had zygapophyseal facets that shift from thoracic-like to lumbar-like at the penultimate rib-bearing level, rather than the ultimate rib-bearing level, as in most humans and extant African apes. What has not been clear is whether Australopithecus had 12 thoracic vertebrae as in most humans, or 13 as in most African apes, and where the position of the thoracolumbar transitional element was. The discovery, preparation, and synchrotron scanning of the Australopithecus afarensis partial skeleton DIK-1-1, from Dikika, Ethiopia, provides the only known complete hominin cervical and thoracic vertebral column before 60,000 years ago. DIK-1-1 is the only known Australopithecus skeleton to preserve all seven cervical vertebrae and provides evidence for 12 thoracic vertebrae with a transition in facet morphology at the 11th thoracic level. The location of this transition, one segment cranial to the ultimate rib-bearing vertebra, also occurs in all other early hominins and is higher than in most humans or extant apes. At 3.3 million years ago, the DIK-1-1 skeleton is the earliest example of this distinctive and unusual pattern of axial segmentation.

The Skeleton of Giraffes

2021 ◽  
pp. 342-381
Author(s):  
Graham Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Average Chemical Composition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Limb Bones ◽  
The Difference

The giraffe skeleton consists of ~170 bones. The dry mass of the skeleton is 70 g.kg-1 body mass. The average chemical composition of their bones is 33% minerals (mainly calcium and phosphorus in a ratio of 2:1), 34% collagen, and 33% water. The skull contributes ~10%, the vertebrae ~25% and the limb bones ~65% to skeleton mass. The average density of all bones is 1.6 g cm-3, ranging from 0.8 g cm-3 (cervical vertebrae) to 2.0 g cm-3 (limb bones). Resistance to fracture by vertebrae depends on their cross-sectional area, and is greatest in cervical and the first few thoracic vertebrae. Resistance to fracture by limb bones depends on wall thickness (the difference between inner and outer diameter), which is uniquely thick. The growth of all limb bones except the humerus follows a geometric pattern (length and diameter increase at the same rate) which confers resistance to compression stress. The humerus follows an elastic pattern (diameter increases faster than length) a pattern that resists bending stress. Giraffes bones are exceptionally straight which further reduces bending stresses. The torque generated by the mass of the head and neck is resisted by the ligamentum nuchae which is exceptionally well-developed in giraffes, extends from the lumbar vertebrae to the occipital crest, can have a diameter of ~10 cm, and can support loads of ~1.8 tonnes before rupturing. As a giraffe grows muscle cross-sectional area (and contraction strength) declines and the duty factor reduces, both of which reduce the risk of fracture.

scholarly journals Vertebral Formulae and Congenital Vertebral Anomalies in Guinea Pigs: A Retrospective Radiographic Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 589
Author(s):  
Pavel Proks ◽  
Trude Maria Johansen ◽  
Ivana Nývltová ◽  
Dominik Komenda ◽  
Hana Černochová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Constant Number ◽  
Radiographic Study ◽  
Transitional Vertebra ◽  
Anatomical Localization ◽  
Vertebral Anomalies ◽  
Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra ◽  
Morphological Variants

The objectives of this retrospective study of 240 guinea pigs (148 females and 92 males) were to determine the prevalence of different vertebral formulae and the type and anatomical localization of congenital vertebral anomalies (CVA). Radiographs of the cervical (C), thoracic (Th), lumbar (L), sacral (S), and caudal (Cd) part of the vertebral column were reviewed. Morphology and number of vertebrae in each segment of the vertebral column and type and localization of CVA were recorded. In 210/240 guinea pigs (87.50%) with normal vertebral morphology, nine vertebral formulae were found with constant number of C but variable number of Th, L, and S vertebrae: C7/Th13/L6/S4/Cd5-7 (75%), C7/Th13/L6/S3/Cd6-7 (4.17%), C7/Th13/L5/S4/Cd6-7 (2.50%), C7/Th13/L6/S5/Cd5-6 (1.67%), C7/Th12/L6/S4/Cd6 (1.25%), C7/Th13/L7/S4/Cd6 (1.25%), C7/Th13/L7/S3/Cd6-7 (0.83%), C7/Th12/L7/S4/Cd5 (0.42%), C7/Th13/L5/S5/Cd7 (0.42%). CVA were found in 30/240 (12.5%) of guinea pigs, mostly as a transitional vertebra (28/30), which represents 100% of single CVA localised in cervicothoracic (n = 1), thoracolumbar (n = 22) and lumbosacral segments (n = 5). Five morphological variants of thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae (TTV) were identified. Two (2/30) guinea pigs had a combination of CVA: cervical block vertebra and TTV (n = 1) and TTV and lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) (n = 1). These findings suggest that guinea pigs’ vertebral column displays more morphological variants with occasional CVA predominantly transitional vertebrae.

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