The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
C. THE PELVIC GIRDLE.
The pelvic girdle of the Frog is much modified from the simple or
general type found in the Newt (p. 149).
It is a V-shaped structure consisting of two halves which are fused
together in the middle line posteriorly, while in front they are
attached to the ends of the transverse processes of the sacral
vertebra. Each half bears at its posterior end a deep cup, the
=acetabulum=, with which the head of the femur articulates.
Each half of the pelvis ossifies from two centres. The anterior and
upper half of the acetabulum, and the long laterally compressed bar
extending forwards to meet the sacral vertebra ossify from a single
centre and are generally called the =ilium=; it is probable however
that they represent both the =ilium= and =pubis= of mammals[58]. The
posterior part of this bone meets its fellow in a median symphysis.
The posterior third of the acetabulum is formed by a small bone, the
=ischium=, which likewise meets its fellow in a median symphysis.
The ventral portion of the pelvic girdle never ossifies, even in old
animals being formed only of calcified cartilage. This is generally
regarded as the pubis, but it perhaps corresponds to the =acetabular
bone= of mammals.
D. THE POSTERIOR LIMB.
This corresponds closely to the anterior limb and, like it, is
divisible into three parts, the =thigh=, the =shin= or =crus= and the
=pes=.
As was the case with the anterior limb, all the long bones have their
ends formed by prominent epiphyses which do not unite with the shaft
till late in life.
In the =thigh= there is only a single bone, the =femur=.
The =femur= is a moderately long, slender bone with a well-ossified
hollow shaft slightly curved in a sigmoid manner. Both ends are
expanded, the proximal end is hemispherical and articulates with the
acetabulum, the distal end is larger and more laterally expanded.
The =shin= likewise includes a single bone, the =tibio-fibula=, but
this, as can be readily seen by the grooves at the proximal and distal
ends of the shaft, is formed by the fusion of two distinct bones, the
=tibia= and =fibula=. The tibio-fibula is longer and straighter than
the femur.
The =pes= consists of two parts, the =ankle= or =tarsus= and the
=foot=.
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