Gross Anatomical Studies on the Hind Limb of the West African Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta)

This study on the gross anatomy of the West African giraffe’s hind limb was aimed at investigating the unique morphological features and number of bones making up this region of the skeleton. Two (2) adults obtained as carcasses at different times after postmortem examination were prepared to extract the bones via cold water maceration for use in the study. The appearance of the ossa coxarum and its features presented similarities to that of the horse. However, differences were evident in the convex cranial border of the ilium, small less prominent coxal tuber, and wider interval between the opposite sacral tuber and an oval obturator foramen. Common features reported in most species such as the gluteal line and psoas tubercle were absent. The long femur presented proximally; the greater trochanter connected obliquely via the trochanteric crest to the lesser trochanter. The supracondyloid fossa, obliquely directed medial condyle, and trochlea with two unequal ridges were presented distally. The fibula was absent while the tibia was typical of ruminant presentation with one popliteal line and no muscular lines on its caudal surface. The five (5) tarsals were arranged three proximally and two distally. One (1) metatarsal (3rd and 4th fused) presented two condyles that anchor two (2) digits with 3 phalanges and 3 sesamoid bones each. The total number of bones making up the hind limb was accounted to be 45. In conclusion, this study has provided a baseline data for further biological, archeological, and comparative anatomical studies.

Prevalence of metacarpophalangeal sesamoid bones of the hand in Turkish population

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and location of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) sesamoid bones using computed tomography (CT) images. Patients and methods: A total of 767 hands of 735 patients (503 males, 232 females; mean age: 36.9±17.0 years; range, 18 to 105 years) obtained from picture archiving and communication system were retrospectively analyzed between January 2016 and December 2019. The sesamoid bones of MCP joints I, II, III, IV, and V were recorded. Data including age, sex, side, number, pathologies, and location of the sesamoid bones were recorded. Results: The prevalence of sesamoid bones was found to be 100%, 37.61%, 1.17%, 0.5%, and 80% in MCP I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the sex of the patient and presence of sesamoid bone at MCP II or MCP V (p>0.970 and p=0.176, respectively). The presence of sesamoid bone at MCP II was statistically significantly correlated with the presence of sesamoid bone at MCP V (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the side and sesamoid prevalence in the remaining 703 patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of MCP V sesamoid bone is higher than previous studies from our country. The CT of hand can be used to determine sesamoid fractures and degenerative conditions of sesamoids.

Correlative Study Between the Sesamoid Bones under the Head of the First Metatarsal and the Development of Hallux Valgus Determined with Radiographs

Objective. To study the correlative between the sesamoid bones under the head of the first metatarsal and the development of hallux valgus determined with radiographs.Methods.The measurements were performed on the X-ray of 300 normal feet and 300 cases of hallux valgus. The following parameters were measured: hallux valgus angle(HVA); the first-second intermetatarsal angle(IMA) between the axes of the first and second metatarsal;the length of the second metatarsal（CD）;the position of tibial sesamoid(TSP ) measured the percent formed between the tibial sesamoid and the centreline of the first metatarsal;the position of fibular sesamoid(FSP) measured tangent value between fibular sesamoid bone and lateral cortex of first metatarsal bone ; the absolute distances (AB) from the centre of the tibial sesamoid to the long axis of the second metatarsal, the absolute distances (EF) from the centre of the fibular sesamoid to the long axis of the second metatarsal and the absolute distance (GH) from the centre of the tibial sesamoid to the centre of the fibular sesamoid. Then calculate the ratio of AB to CD (K1), EF to CD (K2) and GH to CD (K3). Results.HVA moderately positively correlates with TSP and moderately negatively correlates with FSP in subjects with HVA ≥ 20°. HVA and FSP are strongly negatively correlated in the hallux valgus group. Conclusion.The dislocation of sesamoid bone under the first metatarsal head is an important pathological factor leading to valgus. HVA is positively correlated with TSP and negatively correlated with FSP.