A radiological study of the sesamoid bones and os meniscus of the cheetah (Acinonyxjubatus)

Summary

A radiological study of the sesamoids was undertaken in differing numbers of joints from 10 cheetahs. Each sesamoid was described and measured. Sesamoids were not found in the elbow and tarsal joints. A sesamoid was found in the abductor digiti 1 longus muscle as well as paired sesamoids were found at the interosseous muscle insertions palmarly of digits #1–5 and plantarly of digits #2–5. There were significant differences between abaxial and axial lengths of some of these sesamoids and the palmar sesamoids were significantly shorter than their plantar counterparts. In the stifle, a patella, a popliteal and two gastrocnemius sesamoids were present. The lateral gastrocnemius sesamoid was significantly longer than the medial one and had a peculiar bilobed appearance. An os meniscus was constantly present in the cranial aspect of the medial meniscus. The shape of the sesamoids and the presence of an os meniscus in the cheetah differed from those seen in the domestic dog and cat and were ascribed to differences in form and function.

The radiological appearance of the sesamoids and os meniscus were described in adult cheetahs and compared to the domestic dog and cat. Possible anatomical and physiological factors influencing their appearance are postulated.

Keywords

Sesamoids - os meniscus - cheetah

• REFERENCES

• 1 Atilola M. A developmental abnormality of the fore-sesamoids in Rottweilers an introduction. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1989; 03: 129-30.
• 2 Barnett CH. The structure and functions of fibrocartilages within vertebrate joints. J Anat 1954; 88: 363-8.
• 3 Bennett D, Kelly DF. Sesamoid disease as a cause of lameness in young dogs. J Small Anim Pract 1985; 26: 567-79.
• 4 Berg JA. Fractures of palmar and plantar sesamoids bones as a cause of lameness in the dog. J Am Vet Med Ass 1973; 163: 968-70.
• 5 Cake MA, Read RA. Canine and human sesamoid disease. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1995; 08: 70-5.
• 6 Červený Č, Páral V. Os menisci medialis beim amerikanischen Puma (Puma concolor) . Wien Tierärtztl Mschr 1993; 80: 212-5.
• 7 Evans HE. Miller ‘s Anatomy of the Dog. 3rd edn.. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993
• 8 Ganey TM, Ogden JA, Abou-Madi N, Colvile B, Zdyziasrski JM, Olsen JH. Meniscal ossification II. The normal pattern in the tiger knee Skeletal Radiol 1994; 23: 173-9.
• 9 Gonyea WJ. Adaptive differences in the body proportions of large felids. Acta Anat (Basel) 1976; 96: 81-96.
• 10 Hopwood AT. Contributions to the study of some African mammals. III-. Adaptions in the bones of the fore-limb of the lion, leopard and cheetah. J Linn Soc (Zoo) 1947; 41: 259-71.
• 11 Hildebrand M. Motions of the running cheetah and horse. J Mammal 1959; 40: 481-95.
• 12 Künzel W, Probst A. Anatomy and radiography of the stifle joint of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) . Wien Tierärtztl Mschr 1996; 83: 43-50.
• 13 Künzel W, Probst A. Anatomische Besonderheiten am Ellbogengelenk des Geparden (Acinonyx jubatus) . Anat Histiol Embryol 1998; 27: 167-72.
• 14 McCarthy PH, Wood AK. Anatomical and radiological observations of the sesamoid bone of the popliteus muscle in the adult dog and cat. Anat Histol Embryol 1989; 18: 58-65.
• 15 Pedersen HE. The ossicles of the semilunar cartilages of rodents. Anat Rec 1949; 105: 1-9.
• 16 Read RA, Black AP, Armstrong SJ, MacPhearson GC, Peek J. Incidence and clinical significance of sesamoid disease in Rottweilers. Vet Rec 1992; 130: 533-5.
• 17 Reinke J, Mughannam A. Meniscal calcification and ossification in six cats and two dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Ass 1994; 30: 145-52.
• 18 Robins GM, Read RA. Diseases of the sesamoid bones. In: Disease Mechanisms in Small Animal Surgery. 2nd edn.. Bojrab MJ. (ed). Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1993: 1094-101.
• 19 Vaughan LC, France C. Abnormalities of the volar and plantar sesamoid bones in Rottweilers. J Small Anim Pract 1986; 27: 551-8.
• 20 Weber NA. Apparent primary ossification of the menisci in a dog. J Am Vet Med Ass 1998; 212: 1892-4.
• 21 Whiting PG, Pool RR. Intrameniscal calcification and ossification in the stifle joints of three domestic cats. J Am Anim Hosp Ass 1985; 21: 579-84.
• 22 Wood AK, McCarthy PH. Radiologic and anatomic observations of plantar sesamoid bones at the tarsometatarsal articulations of greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 1984; 45: 2158-61.
• 23 Wood AK, McCarthy PH, Howlett CR. Anatomic and radiographic appearance of a sesamoid bone in the tendon of origin of the supinator muscle of dogs. Am J Vet Res 1985; 46: 2043-7.
• 24 Wood AK, McCarthy PH, Martin IC. Anatomic and radiographic appearance of a sesamoid bone in the tendon of origin of the supinator muscle in the cat. Am J Vet Res 1995; 56: 736-8.