Descrição morfológica e radiográfica das articulações escapuloumeral e umerorradioulnar de tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla-Linnaeus, 1758)

• Autor(a) principal: Silva, Carolina Castro Lyra da
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UFG
• Texto Completo: http://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/tede/handle/tede/11810
• topic: Animais silvestres; Morfologia articular; Diagnóstico por imagem; Articulação sinovial; wild animals; Joint morphology; Diagnostic imaging; Synovial joint; CIENCIAS AGRARIAS::MEDICINA VETERINARIA::PATOLOGIA ANIMAL

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) has specialized thoracic limbs to forage by breaking the walls of anthills and termite mounds. They are also important for defense posture and locomotion. This study aimed to provide a morphological and radiographic description of the shoulder joint (SJ) and elbow joint (EJ) of the giant anteater. Both joints of 13 tamanduas were assessed by morphological dissections (n=26) and histological evaluation (n=2) and radiographies without (n = 14) and with (n=13) positive contrast. The radiographic projections selected to this study were the mediolateral and craniocaudal projections. The radiographic and anatomical findings were compared with the following results: the SJ had a continuous joint capsule with the tendon sheaths of the short head and long head of the biceps brachii muscle, which could be visualized with an injection of 3 ml of intra-articular contrast. The SJ arthrography was performed with the needle positioned cranially to the joint for contrast injection. The EJ presented three articular compartments, and the insertion of the joint capsule was proximal to the radial fossa and distal to the radial tuberosity in the radial notch of the ulna, which were possible to identify with 2 ml of intra-articular contrast. The EJ arthrography was performed with the needle positioned laterally to the joint for contrast injection. Moreover, the joint capsule presented an evagination like a caudomedial recess and cranial and caudal fat pads. No ligaments stabilizing the SJ and EJ were identified in the macroscopic and histological assessments. The morphological and radiological study provided relevant information on the soft-tissue characteristics of shoulder and elbow joints, which may aid clinical-surgical and diagnostic imaging procedures.