Macro anatomical investigation of the Skeleton of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

In the present study, 10 rabbits of which 5 males and 5 females with average body weight 1.2 KG were used to macro anatomical investigation of bones of skull, forelimbs and hind limbs during April, 2012. Topographically it was observed that scapula was more or less similar to other ruminant. The glenoid cavity of scapula was circular and deep. The supra spinous fossa was larger than infra spinous fossa. Total length of scapula without cartilage was 6 ± 0.15cm. The length of humerus of rabbit was 6.073 ± 0.29cm. The diameter and proximal end was 0.74 ± 0.05cm. The deltoid tuberosity was less prominent. The acromion and meta acromion process present in rabbit. Clavicol was small, cylindrical and curve bone. The radius of rabbit was 0.8065 ± 2.48 cm in length. The diameter at proximal end was 0.34 ± 0.042 cm. The diameter at midshaft was 2.4810 ± 0.0865 cm. The length of rabbit ulnar bone was 7.088 ± 0.2507 cm. The interossious space was narrow that found in this study. The total carpal bone was arranged in two rows, proximal row articulate with radius and ulna; distal row articulate with metacarpus bone. The primary three proximal carpals are called sesamoid bone. Five digits present at which first contain two phallanges and others contain three phallanges. Neuro cranium is an important part of head. The mean neurocranial volume was 8.07 ± 0.04 ml. The neurocranial length was 6.06 ± 0.05 cm. The neurocranial index was 40% respectively. The skull without mandible was 3.83 ± 0.02 cm. The mean height and width of the foramen magnum were 0.14 ± 0.01 cm and 0.96 ± 0.02 cm respectively while the foramen index was below 100 at about 78.46 ± 1.36 cm. Parameter for the whole skull height and foramen magnum width showed significant difference between both sexes of rabbit at (P < 0.05). Hind limb of rabbit includes coxal bone, femur, tibia-fibula, tarsus (6 no.), metatarsus (5 no.) and phallanges (no. 12). The average distance between mid acetabulam and tuber coxae was 3.056 ± 0.154 cm. Average distance between mid acetabulam and ischial tuberosity was 2.39 ± 0.24 cm. The femur was ‘S’ shaped or curve that found in study. Total length of femur was 8.21 ± 0.29 cm. The patella was a small bone that resemble as small rice kernel. The tibia and fibula were fused in rabbit that constitute one half of the length of medial surface of leg. The total length of tibia was 9.19 ± 0.40 cm. Total Length of fibula was 3.36 ± 3.01 cm. 6 tarsus bone arranged in two rows; proximal rows contain talus and calcaninous bone. The digit contain 12 phallanges.