Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg in Two Genera of Grouse (Tympanuchus and Pedioecetes)Holmes, E. Bruce
Science
Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg in Two Genera of Grouse (Tympanuchus and Pedioecetes)
Holmes, E. Bruce
Leg -- Innervation; Leg -- Muscles; Sharp-tailed grouse; Tympanuchus
For each nerve (or plexus) the condition found in most specimens of the
Lesser Prairie Chicken (_T. pallidicinctus_) is described first.
Following this, variations from the typical _T. pallidicinctus_
condition are given for _T. pallidicinctus_, then for _T. cupido_ (both
subspecies considered together), and finally for _P. p. jamesi_.
=_Lumbosacral Plexus_=, Figs. 2, 3
_T. pallidicinctus_
DESCRIPTION.--Eight spinal nerves contribute to the lumbosacral plexus.
These are the second through the ninth synsacral spinal nerves (S2 to
S9). The entire ventral ramus of each of these nerves, excepting S2 and
S9, contributes to this plexus. The ventral ramus of S2 divides into two
branches, only the posterior of which contributes to the plexus; the
anterior branch directly innervates muscles of the abdominal wall (as
does the entire ventral ramus of S1). The ventral ramus of S9 divides
into two branches, only the anterior of which contributes to this
plexus; the posterior branch contributes to the more posteriorly
situated pudendal plexus.
Each root of the plexus corresponds to a single spinal nerve except one
spinal nerve (S5--the furcal) that contributes a root to both the
femoral nerve and the sciatic nerve; thus typically the plexus has nine
roots (but see below). The four anteriormost roots (S2 to S5) contribute
to the femoral nerve, although the contribution from S2 is small. S3 and
S4 contribute to the obturator nerve. The five posteriormost roots (S5
to S9) contribute to the sciatic nerve, although the contribution from
S9 is relatively small.
INDIVIDUAL VARIATION.--In all specimens (of all species) examined, the
right and left sides of the plexus in any one individual were
practically identical. In T.p. 2 (fig. 2B), there appear to be two
furcal nerves; S5 is typical, but a small branch of S4 apparently also
contributes to the sciatic nerve. In T.p. 5, S9 is unique in dividing
into three branches; the anterior two join the sciatic nerve separately;
the posterior one joins the pudendal plexus as usual.
_T. cupido_
INDIVIDUAL VARIATION.--S2 or S5, or both, may contribute to a limited
extent to the obturator nerve. In T.c.p. 3 (fig. 3A) and T.c.a. 1 and 2,
much of the plexus has shifted one segment anteriorly, relative to the
synsacral vertebrae (the so-called prefixed condition); the roots of the
femoral nerve are S2, S3, and S4 (all large); the furcal nerve is S4 (in
T.c.a. 1, S5 gives an extremely small root to the femoral nerve, thus
making two furcal nerves); six roots (S4 to S9) contribute to the
sciatic nerve; S3 and S4 remain as the main contributors to the
obturator nerve except in T.c.a. 2 in which only S2 and S3 contribute to
it.
_P. p. jamesi_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account