Gross morphometric studies on scapula, humerus, radius, and ulna of the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris)

Abstract

The study was carried out to know the gross anatomy and morphometry of scapula, humerus, radius, and ulnar bones of forelimb of an adult Royal Bengal Tiger. The bones were collected from Bangladesh National Zoo, Dhaka, and processed scientifically in The Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU). The scapula was somewhat a quadrangular shape having 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 diminished towards the proximal extremity. The acromion process was subdivided into thick triangular shaped suprahamate process and hamate process which was over hanged the glenoid cavity. The humerus of The Royal Bengal Tiger was a long bone with a spirally twisted shape. The body of the humerus was somewhat compressed laterally. The radius was a 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 the proximal extremity. The ulna was longer than the radius and was flattened mediolaterally. The proximal extremity had an olecranon process, anconeus process, and facet for the humerus. The olecranon process possessed three tubercles. Some osteomorphometrical features in the bones of forelimb specified unique discrepancies for this species which were the key factors for interpretation in the field of radiology and forensic studies.