The pelvic limb of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)
FD Mellett - Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 1994 - journals.co.za
FD Mellett
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 1994•journals.co.zaOstriches (Struthio camelus)(n= 90) were dissected and the musculature of part of the
proximal pelvic limb examined. Graphical representation of these muscles are presented. It
is evident that the anatomy of the hip and thigh of the ostrich is typically avian, but with only
the M. iliofemoralis present. The M. iliotrochantericus medius is not found in ostriches, but
both the M. iliofemoralis externus and M. iliofemoralis internus, as well as both parts of the
M. flexor cruris lateralis and the M. ambiens are present in ostriches. The ambiens muscle …
proximal pelvic limb examined. Graphical representation of these muscles are presented. It
is evident that the anatomy of the hip and thigh of the ostrich is typically avian, but with only
the M. iliofemoralis present. The M. iliotrochantericus medius is not found in ostriches, but
both the M. iliofemoralis externus and M. iliofemoralis internus, as well as both parts of the
M. flexor cruris lateralis and the M. ambiens are present in ostriches. The ambiens muscle …
Ostriches (Struthio camelus) (n=90) were dissected and the musculature of part of the proximal pelvic limb examined. Graphical representation of these muscles are presented. It is evident that the anatomy of the hip and thigh of the ostrich is typically avian, but with only the M. iliofemoralis present. The M. iliotrochantericus medius is not found in ostriches, but both the M. iliofemoralis externus and M. iliofemoralis internus, as well as both parts of the M. flexor cruris lateralis and the M. ambiens are present in ostriches. The ambiens muscle, responsible for the automatic grasping action in birds, originates from the preacetabular lateral surface of the ilium. The insertion of this muscle is, as in other birds, via a long tendon on the head of the M. flexor digitorum magnus. A pectineus muscle is present in ostriches. The Mm. femorotibiales consists of 4 muscles, inclusive of the M. femorotibialis accessorius.
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