The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
CARNIVORA. In the Carnivora vera the femur (fig. 79, A) is generally
rather straight and slender, and has a very distinct head. The fibula
(fig. 79, C) is always distinct and there is generally a considerable
interval between it and the tibia. Fabellae (fig. 79, 7) are commonly
present.
In the Pinnipedia the femur is short, broad and flattened, having a
prominent great trochanter. The fibula is nearly as large as the
tibia, and the two bones are generally ankylosed together at their
proximal ends.
The Creodonta differ from all living Carnivores in having a femur with
a third trochanter.
In the INSECTIVORA a third trochanter is sometimes developed. The
fibula is sometimes distinct, sometimes fused distally with the tibia,
thus differing from that of a Carnivore.
In CHIROPTERA the femur is straight, slender and rather short, with a
small but well-developed head. The fibula may be well developed or
quite vestigial or absent. Owing to the connection of the hind limb
with the wing membrane the knee joint is directed backwards.
In PRIMATES the femur is rather long and slender, having a nearly
spherical head and large great trochanter. The tibia and fibula are
always distinct and well developed. Fabellae are not found in the
highest forms but are generally present in the others.
THE PES.
The skeleton of the pes is in most respects a counterpart of that of
the manus. Just as in the manus if one digit is absent it is the
pollex, so in the pes it is the hallux. But while in the manus the
third digit is always well developed, however much the limb may be
modified, in the pes any of the digits may be lost. In all mammals the
tibiale and intermedium fuse to form the _astragalus_, and the fourth
and fifth tarsalia to form the _cuboid_. Sesamoid bones are
considerably developed. In almost every case the phalanges and first
metatarsal have epiphyses only on their proximal ends, while the
remaining four metatarsals have epiphyses only on their distal ends.
In the MONOTREMATA all the usual tarsal bones are distinct, and the
five digits have the normal number of phalanges. Several sesamoid
bones are developed, the most important one, found only in the male,
being articulated to the tibia and bearing the curious horny spur. The
ungual phalanges of the pes like those of the manus, are deeply cleft
at their extremities. In the Echidnidae the pes is turned outwards and
backwards in walking.
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