Gross Anatomical and Morphometrical Studies on Scapula, Humerus, Radius and Ulna of Tiger (Panthera tigris)

Abstract

The study was carried out to know the gross anatomy and morphometry of scapula, humerus, radius and ulnar bone of forelimb of adult Royal Bengal tiger skeleton to explore their characteristics features. The bones were collected from Bangladesh National Zoo, Dhaka and processed scientifically in the laboratory of Anatomy, CVASU. The scapula was quadrangular shape with two surfaces, three borders and three angles. Its lateral surface was unequally divided into supraspinous and infraspinous fossa by a well-developed spine which gradually decreased towards the proximal extremity. The acromian process was subdivided into thick triangular shaped suprahamate process and hamate process which was over hanged the glenoid cavity. The humerus of tiger was a long bone with a spirally twisted shaped. The body of humerus was somewhat compressed laterally. The radius was slightly twisted bone with an anteroposteriorly flattened shaft and two extremities. The proximal extremity had a concave facet and the distal extremity was expanded and was about twice the size of proximal extremity. The ulna was longer than radius and was flattened mediolaterally. The proximal extremity had olecranon process, anconeus process and facet for humerus. The olecranon process possessed three tubercles. In Tiger, some osteomorphometrical features in the bones of forelimb indicated unique discrepancies which were the key factors for interpretation in radiology and forensic studies.