Nomina Anatomica Avium; An Annotated Anatomical Dictionary of Birds

Anatomy of the sternum and humerus in the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus)

“…Injuries in these bones can cause pain, stress, increased susceptibility to disease, reduced activity, reduced productivity, reduced meat quality, and impaired respiratory function 6,7 . Causes of injury to the sternum in chickens include elevated egg production, poor bone health, and collisions with other hens or solid objects (which may be exacerbated by poor feathering, coarse or wet bedding, or increased time sitting on the sternum) 8 . A user‐friendly reference with standardized anatomic terminology for the sternum and humerus will provide a helpful resource for future clinical and research applications in this important animal species.…”

“…The current reference standard for avian anatomic terminology worldwide is the Nomina Anatomica Avium ( NAA ). However, figures illustrating the anatomy of the sternum and humerus use bones from the domestic pigeon ( Columba livia ) and the European herring gull ( Larus argentatus ), respectively, rather than the chicken 8 . These species have several noteworthy differences from the chicken, for instance, the presence of a fenestra medialis in the gull sternum as opposed to the incisurae medialis in the chicken sternum.…”

“…However, figures illustrating the anatomy of the sternum and humerus use bones from the domestic pigeon (Columba livia) and the European herring gull (Larus argentatus), respectively, rather than the chicken. 8 These species have several noteworthy differences from the chicken, for instance, the presence of a fenestra medialis in the gull sternum as opposed to the incisurae medialis in the chicken sternum. Anatomic terms are also provided only in Latin and described in paragraph format.…”