Osteology and Radiographic Anatomy of the Pelvis and Hind Limb of Healthy Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)

Abstract

SummaryIn family Lemuridae, anatomical variations exist. Considering its conservation status (near threatened) and presence of similarities between strepsirrhines and primitive animals, it was thought to be beneficial to describe the gross osteology and radiographic anatomy of the pelvis and hind limb of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) as a reference for clinical use and species identification. Radiography was performed in 14 captive adult ring-tailed lemurs. The radiographic findings were correlated with bone specimens from 2 two adult animals. Additionally, computed tomography of the hind limbs was performed in one animal. The pelvic bone has a well-developed caudal ventral iliac spine. The patella has a prominent tuberosity on the cranial surface. The first metatarsal bone and digit 1 are markedly stouter than the other metatarsal bones and digits with medial divergence from the rest of the metatarsal bones and digits. Ossicles were seen in the lateral meniscus, inter-phalangeal joint of digit 1 and in the infrapatellar fat pad. Areas of mineral opacity were seen within the external genitalia, which are believed to be the os penis and os clitoris. Variations exist in the normal osteology and radiographic appearance of the pelvis and hind limb of different animal species. The use of only atlases from domestic cats and dogs for interpretative purposes may be misleading.

Osteology and radiographic anatomy of the hind limbs in Marshdeer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

“…This bone presented only greater and lesser trochanter. The third trochanter was not seen, unlike to horse and cattle (Getty 1986), mole-rat (Ozkan 2002), agouti (Oliveira et al 2009), paca (Oliveira et al 2007, Araújo et al 2013, capybara (Araújo et al 2013), and ring-tailed lemurs (Makungu et al 2013). Paca and capybara have a third trochanter undeveloped (Araújo et al 2010(Araújo et al , 2013.…”

“…In Marshdeer, like other ruminants such as cattle (Getty 1986), no other sesamoid bones was observed in this joint, even when analyzes were performed on radiographs. Sesamoid bones have been reported in the stifle joint of the dog (Evans & De Lahunta 2013), of the ring-tailed lemur (Makungu et al 2013), and in the gastrocnemius muscle in the paca (Araújo et al 2013).…”

Morphological Comparison Between the Large Metatarsal Bone of Zebu bull (Bos Taurus indicus) and Egyptian Baladi bull (Bos Taurus Taurus): New Insights by Gross, Morphometric, and Computed Tomography

“…In addition, the distal osseus septum is longer and more extensive in Zebu metatarsi than in those of the Egyptian Baladi bull. according to their size, function, and structure into two types; functional and small rudimentary bones i.e., functional five bones in dog, four in pig, two in ruminants and only one in equines 5,7,8,12 . Specifically in ruminants including the camel, the distal extremity of the metatarsal bones is divided into two trochleae separated by inter-condyloid groove 6 .…”

“…Painful manifestations in the limbs are reflected directly on milk yield, meat production as well as ability to work in draft animals 5,8,10 . The gross morphology of these bones is well described in livestock with minor comparative points to the ruminants 5,7,8,12 . The gross anatomical features of these bones and their functional structure were described 1,2,4 .…”

The Normal Radiographic Anatomy of the Forelimb in Sunda Porcupine

“…Knowledge of radiographic anatomical structure is very important and is a basic knowledge for identifying species and interpretive goals in an effort to increase endemic wildlife preservation because it can help veterinarians in the clinical aspect (Makungu et al, 2013;Schimming et al, 2015;Mohamed, 2018). To obtain an accurate diagnosis of radiographic images, knowledge of the normal radiographs of the structures examined is needed (Duncan et al, 2013).…”