European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 13 - Number 3
Eur J Anat, 13 (3): 127-131 (2009)

Macro-anatomical investigations of the skeletons of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse): Pelvic limb

Olude M.A., Olopade J.O., Mustapha O.A.

Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Nigeria; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

ABSTRACT In this study, the hind limb bones of adult African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) were used to investigate their gross morphology. The ventrocaudal iliac spine was absent in the animals while the pelvic symphysis was fused. The average distance between the mid-acetabulum and the tuber coxae was 41.00 mm, and the average distance between the mid-acetabulum and the ischial tuberosity (tuber ischiadicum) was 26.00 mm. The average sagittal length and width of the foramen obturatum were 20.00 mm and 14.00 mm, respectively. Sexual differences were observed in the Os coxae. There were three trochanters on the femur while the fovea capitis was absent and replaced by an indistinct depression. The tibia and fibula were almost fused in the distal half before dividing distally to form the medial and lateral malleolus. The tibia has a distal depression not reported in literature. There were 8 tarsal bones and the pedis was complete with five digits.

Keywords: acetabulum, animal anatomy, animal tissue, article, Cricetomys gambianus, female, fibula, hip, ischial tuberosity, male, nonhuman, pelvic girdle, rat, sex difference, skeleton, tarsal bone, tibia

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)