The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
In the CHIROPTERA the scapula is large and oval, and has a moderately
high spine and a large acromion. The coracoid process is well
developed and is often forked. The clavicles are also well developed,
and vestiges of the precoracoid and of the sternal end of the coracoid
are often found.
In PRIMATES the clavicle and coracoid process are always well
developed. In Man and the Gorilla the scapula has a long straight
suprascapular border, a well-developed coracoid process and spine, and
a large curved acromion. Vestiges of the precoracoid occur at each end
of the clavicle. The shape of the scapula varies much in the lower
Primates.
THE UPPER ARM AND FORE-ARM.
In the MONOTREMATA the humerus is short, very broad at each end and
contracted in the middle. The radius and ulna are stout and of nearly
equal size, while the ulna has a greatly expanded olecranon.
In the MARSUPIALIA the humerus is generally a strong bone, broad at
the distal end and having well marked deltoid and supinator ridges,
which are specially large in _Notoryctes_. An ent-epicondylar or
supracondylar foramen (fig. 105, 5) is almost always present except in
_Notoryctes_. The radius and ulna are always distinct and well
developed, and a certain amount of rotation can take place between
them. The ulna of _Notoryctes_ has an enormous hooked olecranon which
causes the bone to be nearly twice as long as the radius.
[Illustration FIG. 105. ANTERIOR SURFACE OF THE RIGHT HUMERUS OF A
WOMBAT (_Phascolomys latifrons_). (After OWEN.)
1. head.
2. greater tuberosity.
3. lesser tuberosity.
4. deltoid ridge.
5. ent-epicondylar (supracondylar) foramen.
6. supinator ridge.
7. external condyle.
8. internal condyle.
9. articular surface for radius.
10. articular surface for ulna.]
EDENTATA. The Sloths have long slender arm bones; the humerus is
nearly smooth and has a very large ent-epicondylar foramen in
_Choloepus_, but not in _Bradypus_. The radius and ulna can be
rotated on one another to a considerable extent. The humerus in all
other Edentates is very strong and has the points for the attachment
of muscles much developed, especially in the Armadillos and
Megatheriidae. An ent-epicondylar foramen is found in all living
forms. The radius and ulna are well developed, but are not capable of
much rotation.
In the SIRENIA the humerus is well developed and of a normal
character. It is expanded at each end and has a prominent internal
condyle, a small olecranon fossa, and no ent-epicondylar foramen. In
the Dugong and _Rhytina_ there is a bicipital groove and the
tuberosities are distinct, but in the Manatee there is no bicipital
groove, and the tuberosities coalesce. The radius and ulna are about
equally developed and ankylosed together at both ends.
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