Gamboa, Godoy, Laoyon, Palmes, Reyes

ZOO 102 - XYZ

I. FISH SKELETAL SYSTEM

SKELETON/PART DESCRIPTION
VERTEBRAL COLUMN OF TELEOSTS
Tail vertebrae
Amphicoelus centrum Bears a minute canal in it center for the notochord
Neural arch Terminating in a very long sharp neural spine
Haemal arch Terminating in a similar haemal spine
• Space enclosed within the neural arch
• Generally smaller than the haemal canal
Neural Canal
• Enclosed by the haemal arch, making the dorsal and ventral sides of the
vertebrae distinguishable
Trunk vertebrae
• Pair of projections at the sides of the base of the centrum to each of
Basal stumps/ Basapophyses which a long slender rib is articulated
• Represent the opened bases of the haemal arch
TELEOST VERTEBRAE
Basidorsal and basiventral
Form the neural and haemal arches
arcualia
Centra Compounded of perichordal and sheath elements
RIBS
• Articulated to projecting processes of the centrum
Dorsal ribs
• In intact fishes: it is located in the horizontal septum
• Loosely attached to the ventral surface of the centrum
Lower or pleural ribs
• In intact fishes: found next ot the peritoneum
Articulated with centrum or neural arch and extending out into the myosepta
Additional ribs
between myotomes.
VERTEBRAL COLUMN (as a whole)
Region wherein the haemal arches are reduced to basapophyses supporting the
Trunk region of vertebral column
long slender ribs.
Haemal arches are formed through the fusing of the elongated basapohpyses,
Tail region of vertebral column
which replace the ribs.
ENDOSKELETAL FIN SUPPORTS
Median fins
A row of slender bony rods, sometimes flattened, is articulated with the
Pterygiophores
vertebral spines at one end, and the dermal fin rays at the other.
Tail fin
• Hypothethical primitive
Protocercal tail • Perfectly bilaterally symmetrical with fin developed equally above and
below the straight vertebral axis
• Asymmetrical with vertebral axis or notochord bent upward in the tail
Heterocercal tail
• External fin is larger below than above the axis
• Secondarily symmetrical tails, derived by modification from the
Diphycercal tail heterocercal type
• Indistinguishable from the protocercal type
Homocercal tail Externally more or less symmetrical but internally like a shortened
Upturned end of the vertebral column with last centrum which turns sharply
Urostyle
upward
Upturned part of the vertebral column that are enlarged and flattened which is
Hypural bones
accompanied by the haemal arches.
Epural bones Corresponds to the enlarged neural arches

II. SHARK SKELETAL SYSTEM

VERTEBRATE SKELETON/PART DESCRIPTION

VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Centrum/Body central circular concave portion
Neural Arch arch dorsal to the centrum which incloses the neural canal
Neural Canal cavity in which the spinal cord is located
Haemal Arch arch ventral to the centrum which incloses the haemal canal
Haemal Canal cavity containing the caudal artery and vein
Neural Spine termination point of the neural arch
Haemal Spine termination point of the haemal arch
Intercalary Arch extra arch, inverted, with apex inclosing the neural canal
GIRDLES AND FINS
purely endoskeletal consisting simply of a curved cartilaginous bar nearly
Pectoral Girdle
encircling the anterior part of the trunk
Coracoid Bar median ventral portion between the bases of the two fins
Scapular Process long processes extending dorsally beyond the articulations of the fins
Basals proximal row of enlarged basals which make up the cartilaginous fin rays
Metapterygium inner one, longest basal
Mesopterygium middle one
Propterygium outer one
Radials several distal rows of smaller radials which make up the cartilaginous fin rays
Pelvic Girdle bar of cartilage across the ventral side at the end of the trunk region
Puboischiac Bar bar located ventrally
Iliac Process slightly projecting dorsal ends
Basals enlarged cartilages
single basal; long, curved cartilage extending along the whole medial border of
Metapterygium
the fin
Propterygium present anterior to the metapterygium
Radials outer series of one or more rows of small, rodlike cartilages
Clasper supported by large radials (in males)
SKULL
cartilaginous mass without divisions or sutures, broad and flat above, narrower
A. Chondrocranium
and more irregular below
Rostrum anterior trough like region
Nasal Capsule on each side at the base of the rostrum
large depression formed at the middle of the sides of the chondrocranium; holds
Orbit
the eye
Otic Capsule the region on each side behind the orbits
smaller cavity which opens into the cranial cavity but in life is closed by a
Precerebral Fenestra
membrane
Antorbital Process ridge
Supraorbital Crest thick projecting shelf
Postorbital Process triangular projection
Endolymphatic Fossa rounded depression
Foramen Magnum terminal opening shortly behind the endolymphatic fossa
Rostral Carina or Keel midventral keel
Basitrabecular Process articulations
Basal Plate broad flat-region continuous on each side with the otic capsules
posterior end of the basal plate which projects slightly on either side of the
Occipital Condyle
notochord
consists of a longitudinal series of crescentic elements situated in the pharyngeal
B. Splanchnocranium
wall between the gill slits
Mandibular Arch first gill arch; largest and most modified of the series
Palatoquadrate or Pterygoid bear teeth; constitute the upper jaw
Cartilage
Meckel’s Cartilage bear teeth; constitute the lower jaw
Hyoid second arch; more slender than the mandibular arch
Hyomandibular stout piece
Ceratohyal slender bar
Basihyal ventral median piece
Branchial Arches remaining arches which are similar to each other
Pharyngobranchial most dorsal piece, elongated, and directed posteriorly
 Epibranchial succeeding much shorter piece
Ceratobranchial elongated piece
Hypobranchial curved ventral pieces of which there are but three pairs to the five branchial
arches
two in number—an anterior small one situated between the medial ends of the
first and second pairs of hypobranchials, and a large posterior piece between the
Basibranchial
bases of the fifth ceratobranchials and terminating in a caudally directed point

III. FROG SKELETAL SYSTEM

VERTEBRATE SKELETON/PART DESCRIPTION

Note on exoskeletons: According to Hyman, most modern-day amphibians possess naked skins without
exoskeletons. Most possessing endoskeletons are in fact now extinct, with examples extending to what was
termed formerly Stegocephala, with a “ventral armor of bony dermal plates” most likely derived from cosmoid
scales of crossopterygian fish. In amphibians such as Gymnophiona, “minute concealed dermal scales” may be
observed.
Note on vertebral column of extinct amphibians (from the extinct Labyrinthodontia): The vertebrate usually
consists of neural arch, haemal arch, hypocentrum, and pleurocentrum in separate pieces. The emholomerous
type with hypocentrum and pleurocentrum is considered either equal or more primitive from which the
rachitomous type was “derived by reduction of hypocentrum and pleurocentrum” (Hyman, 1942).
Vertebral column of Urodeles: Necturus and Cryptobranchus
Notes:
• Basidorsals apparently appear and contribute to the neural arch, completed above by a supradorsal
element
• Basiventrals in the caudal end contribute likewise to the haemal arch completed by an infraventral
element
• Centrum is formed by the perichordal mesenchyme which also contribute to the neural and haemal arches
• Large intervertebral disks are formed which in genera with opisthocoelous centra divide in two to form the
ball-and-socket ends its adjacent centra
• In extinct forms the urodele centrum corresponds to the hypocentrum
• The rib-bearing part of the vertebra originates as a separate piece (rib-bearer, representing the ventral
rib), which then fuses to the centrum forming the dia- and -parapophyses (not homologous to the
structure in amniotes)
• True parapophysis is apparently represented by a projection of basiventral origin that grows out and
eventually joins the rib-bearer
Cervical vertebra Supports the skull and lacking ribs
[a long trunk vertebra • Rib-bearing vertebrae
intermediate to the cervical and • Absent haemal arch, with the ribs articulated at the lateral projections
sacral regions] of the centrum
 • Vertebrae articulated to each other by zygapophyses (structure poorly
developed / absent in fishes) ® a pair of projections on the neural
spine “fitting over a similar pair on the anterior end of succeeding
vertebra”; yoking the vertebrae together
• Each vertebra has a pair of prezygapophyses on the anterior end
wherein its articulating surfaces face upward; and a pair of
postzygapophyses on the posterior end wherein its articulating
surfaces face downward
Sacral region / sacrum One vertebra whose ribs (sacral ribs) support the hind legs
Caudal region vertebra • Vertebrae lacking ribs but with haemal arches, with amphicoelous ends
• Has neural and haemal arches & a centrum bearing projecting lateral
processes
• Neural arches are low and elongated
Ribs – tuberculum (dorsal) & • Tuberculum and capitulum articulates dorsal and ventral projections of
capitulum (ventral) the vertebra termed diapophysis and parapophysis
• Ribs are dorsal ribs
Vertebral column of the anuran amphibian: frogs
Notes:
• The centra is procoeolous, with opisthocoelous centra also a frequently occurring structure
• The development of anuran vertebrae is similar to that of urodeles – the basiventrals are reduced except
for the urostyle
• The urostyle is supposed to represent several fused caudal vertebrae, although this is not supported
embryogenically as the urostyle ossifies from a continuous cartilaginous rod
• The nature of the large intervertebral disks which divides to form the ball and socket ends of adjacent
centra is disputed. Due to their perichordal nature however, they may be regarded as the reduced
pleurocentra.
One cervical vertebra Supports the skull and lacking ribs
Seven trunk vertebrae • Bears the ribs
• Low neural arches, no haemal arches
• Zygapophyses and centra bearing long transverse processes which
possibly correspond to diapophyses (with embryology indicating the
ends of these processes originate separately, making them ribs)
Sacral vertebrae Supports the hindlimbs
Urostyle Long piece behind the sacrum completing the vertebral column
The endoskeleton: Girdles, Sternum, and Paired Appendages
Notes:
• Lack of attachment of the pectoral girdle of amphibians to the vertebral column
• Four fingers are present in amphibians; with a consensus that a fifth is missing
• The structure prepollex is present in Anura
Sternum / Breastbone
Urodele pelvic girdle
Urodele Hindlimbs
Interclavicles, paired clavicles,
cleithra
Endoskeletal part of pectoral
girdle
Urodele pectoral girdle and
forelimb
• Elongated structure situated in the midventral region of the anterior
part of the trunk
• Ribs fail to reach the sternum in present amphibians, perhaps reached
in extinct forms
• Combination of pectoral girdle, ribs, and sternum strengthens the
anterior trunk in relation to accustom air-breathing habit and support
formation of lungs
• Largely unossified
• Flattened puboischiac or pelvic plate, wherein the anterior part
represents the pubic region remaining wholly cartilaginous
• The ischia are on a posterior part of the plate with rounded ossification
centers
• The ilium extends dorsally from each side of the pelvic plate and is
firmly articulated to the end of the sacral rib
• There is a depression at the point of junction of pubic cartilage,
ischium, and ilium, called the acetabulum where the proximal end of
the femur is inserted by a ball-and-socket joint
• Proximal segment – a thigh ® single bone, the femur
• Middle segment – shank ® two parallel bones, preaxial tibia and
postaxial fibula
• Distal segment – ankle / tarsus and foot ® ankle / tarsus consists of
small bones; four elongated bones or the metatarsals which composes
the sole and bears the toes, with each making of a row of two or three
small bones or the phalanges (with four or five toes)
Seen on many extinct amphibians
In early fossil amphibians the endoskeletal girdle ossifies on each side into a
single scapulocoracoid bone
• Originally had a series of membrane bones similar to bony fishes plus a
midventral interclavicle with the posttemporal attached to the skull
• The endoskeletal girdle consists of a single scapulocoracoid on each
side
• Dermal pectoral girdle has been lost as an adaptation to aquatic
environment, with the endoskeletal part has remained in or turned to a
cartilaginous condition
• Girdle consists of two halves ® the scapulocoracoids; the ventral
coracoid region forming a flat plate of cartilage wherein dorsally above
the glenoid fossa is the scapula (the only ossified part of the girdle) with
its dorsal border bears the suprascapular cartilage
• Cryptobranchus and others: sternum is functionally a cartilaginous
piece between the behind parts of the coracoid cartilages

Anuran pectoral girdle and
forelimb
The skull of Necturus, a partially ossified skull
Palatoquadrate cartilages
VERTEBRATE SKELETON/PART
Carapace (Exoskeleton)
• Neural scute
• Coastal Scute
• Marginal Scute
- Nuchal Scute
- Pygal Scute
• Vertebral/ Neural Plate
• Postneural/Precaudal
Plate
• Coastal Plate
• Pygal Plate
• Nuchal Plate
• Marginal Plate
• Necturus: the sternum is represented by two or three transverse
cartilages in the ventral myosepta
• Ossified girdle and definite sternum
• Firm construction and the union of girdle and sternum in common frogs
(Rana)
• Girdle consisting ventrally on each side of an anterior clavicle and a
posterior coracoid; with the clavicle covering the cartilaginous
precoracoid
• Sternum consisting of two parts – a prezonal part in front of the girdle
(episternum) composed of an ossified & cartilaginous section; a
postzonal part/xiphisternum behind the girdle which is also partly
ossified and terminates in a rounded cartilage
• The dorsal part of the girdle consists of the scapula, glenoid fossa, and
the suprascapular cartilage above the scapula, partially covered by a
thin, flat bone, believed to be the cleithrum
Inseparably fused to the ventral and lateral sides of the skull proper and are
partially ossified
IV. TURTLE SKELETAL SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
-dorsal surface has large, horny epidermal scutes; cave like
-at median row (5)
-immediately after neural scutes (8)
-smallest of the three
-anterior most end; unpaired
-posterior most end; paired
 Plastron (Exoskeleton) similar to carapace
• Gular Scute
• Humeral Scute
• Pectoral Scute
• Abdominal Scute
• Femoral Scute
• Anal Scute
Atlas consist of four separate pieces that form a ring; dorsal piece is proatlas, ventral
is hypocentrum, curved pieces are bases of neural arch; centrum is attached to
anterior end of axis as odontoid process

Axis has large centrum; has strong neural arch and elongated neural spine

Cervical Vertebrae
Trunk Vertebrae
Sacral Vertebrae
Caudal Vertebrae
Ribs
Pubis
8 ribless including atlas and axis; has well developed neural arches and spines,
pre and post-zygapophyses and transverse processes
fused to carapace; 10; ribs are expanded and fused to inner surface of coastal
plate
fused to carapace; 2
posterior most end of vertebra; neural arches, transverse processes and
zygapophyses diminish caudally; last vertebrae is only a centra; first caudal
vertebrae is fused to sacrum and carapace
single head; capitulum articulating at or near boundary between successive
centra
ventral pair; in front; fused at midventral line (pubic symphyses)

Ischium ventral part; behind; fused at midventral line (ischiac symphyses)

Illium articulated at dorsal end to two sacral ribs

Obturator Foramen between pubis and ischium
Epipubic cartilage extends forward from pubic symphyses
Prepubic/ Pectineal Process laterally prominent; anteriorly projecting
Humerus
Radius
Ulna
Carpal
Metacarpal
Phalanges have horny claws
Femur prominent head that fits in acetabulum
Tibia
Fibula smaller than tibula
Tarsalia 4; fourth tarsalia consists of fourth and fifth that are fused
Metatarsal 5; after tarsalia
Skull

V. CHICKEN SKELETAL SYSTEM

VERTEBRATE SKELETON/PARTS DESCRIPTION

Atlas First vertebrae after the skull, small ring shaped bone
Axis Second vertebrae after the skull, bears an odontoid process
Cervical Vertebrae Numerous, 16 in the chicken; very flexible articulations; low neural
arches and spines, welldeveloped
zygapophyses
Thoracic Vertebrae Possesses ribs extending completely to the ventral side; high neural
spine and well developed traverse processes; the last thoracic is fused
along with the remaining regions to form the synsacrum
Lumbar Fused to form the synsacrum of the column
Sacral
Caudal Can be found in both the synsacrum and pygostyle
Synsacrum The first caudal vertebrae is fused with the lumbar and sacral vertebrae
to form the synsacrum
Pygostyle few free caudal vertebrae ending in an enlarged piece, represents
several fused vertebrae.
Rib divisible into an upper vertebral
rib, composed of bone, and a lower sternal rib, or costal cartilage, partly
cartilaginous. The vertebral ribs bear backwardly directed processes,
the uncinate
processes, characteristic of birds and serving apparently to lend greater
firmness to the ribs. The ribs of birds are true or intermuscular ribs
Furcula Wish bone;
Membrane bone composed of two clavicle, united to a round piece –
interclavicle
Sternum Elongated bone that bears a ventral projection – keel or karina;
The front end of the sternum has short costal processes;
Each side are two long xiphisternal processes
Scapula Long sword-like bone lying above the ribs
Coracoid Stout bone extending up to the wishbone
Ilium Largest and most dorsal part of the innominate bone; elongated thin
plate, concave in front, convex behind, extending from the last thoracic
vertebra to the tail region,
Ischium Each side of the innominate bone,
Pubis Long slender bone along the ventral border of the ischium
Humerus Stout with a convex head On either side and slightly distal to the head
are prominent projections,
the greater and lesser tuberosities;
The lesser tuberosity is continued distally into a sharp ridge, the deltoid
ridge
Radius Much slender than the ulna
Ulna exhibiting at its proximal end a projection,
the olecranon process or elbow,
Wrist the radiale at the base of the radius
and the ulnare at the base of the ulna.
Carpometacarpus remaining wrist bones are fused to the
metacarpals
Phalanges
Femur Has a large head fitting into the acetabulum and a prominent projection
lateral to head;
The distal end is shaped like a pulley – consisting of a central depression
with curved ridges
Patella Sesamoid bone;
Bone developed in a tendon
Tibiotarsus Tibia fused its distal end with the proximal metatarsus;
The proximal end has two condyles for articulation;
Bears in front two diverging crests
Fibula Atrophied distal portion
Tarsometatarsus Fusion of the second, third, and fourth metatarsals
SKULL
Premaxilla small cranial bones at the very tip of the upper jaw
Nasal process of maxilla strong plate, which projects upward, medialward, and backward from
the maxilla, forming part of the lateral boundary of the nose.
Maxilla The maxilla, also known as the upper jaw, is a vital viscerocranium
structure of the skull. It is involved in the formation of the orbit, nose
and palate, holds the upper teeth
Nasal The nasal bones are two small oblong bones
Mesethmoid ocated in the middle of the ethmoid region : being or relating to a
median cartilaginous or bony element of the ethmoidal region that
generally forms the greater part of the nasal septum
Jugal or Malar It is connected to the quadratojugal and maxilla,
Frontal making up the bony part of the forehead, part of the bony orbital cavity
holding the eye, and part of the bony part of the nose respectively
Quadratojugal It forms the rear lower corner of the skull, typically connecting to the
jugal (cheek bone) from the front and the squamosal from above.
Quadrate a squarish bone with which the jaw articulates
Squamosal the squamous portion of the temporal bone
Parietal when joined together at a fibrous joint, form the sides and roof of the
cranium
Exoccipital when joined together at a fibrous joint, form the sides and roof of the
cranium
Supraoccipital a bone on the dorsal side of the great foramen of the skull,
Lacrimal a small bone forming part of the eye socket.
Orbitosphenoid a bone in the floor of the cranium, in the region of the optic nerve.
Parasphenoid bone situated in the base of the skull of many vertebrates and
developed in the membrane underlying the basicranial axis
Basisphenoid the part of the base of the cranium that lies between the basioccipital
and the presphenoid bones and that usually ossifies separately and
becomes a part of the sphenoid bone only in the adult
Pterygoid a paired bone forming part of the palate of many vertebrates, behind
the palatine bones
Basitemporal one of a pair of membrane bones of the skull of birds underlying and
uniting with the part of the true cranium formed by the basisphenoid
and basioccipital bones
Auditory canal canal within the petrous part of the temporal bone of the skull
between the posterior cranial fossa and the inner ear.
Basioccipital extends forward and upward from the foramen magnum, and presents
in front an area more or less quadrilateral in outline
Occipital condyle each of two rounded knobs on the occipital bone that form a joint with
the first cervical vertebra.
 VI. CAT SKELETAL SYSTEM

Region Skeletal Part/Element Description

VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical Atlas (C1) Ring-shaped with wide wing-like lateral projections, which represent ribs;
perforated by an opening, the vertebrarterial canal.
Axis (C2) Has a very large elongated neural arch having a neural spine which projects
forward over the atlas and bears posteriorly a pair of postzygapapophyses.
C3-C7 With well-developed neural arches and spines, pre- and postzygapophyses,
and transverse processes, really pleurapophyses, consisting in part of a fused-
on rib, as shown by the presence of the vertebrarterial canal.
Thoracic T1-T13 Bear long ribs, reaching the ventral side, and hence can be recognized when
isolated by the smooth costal half-facets where the ribs where attached.
Ribs Ribs Usually consist of a bony vertebral rib and a cartilaginous sternal rib or costal
cartilage.
Lumbar L1-L7 Large and stout with prominent neural spines and long transverse processes
directed forward; the latter are probably pleurapophyses, i.e., composed of
fused diapophysis and rib.
Sacral S1-S Composed of a variable number of vertebrae fused together for articulation
with the hind limbs.
Caudal Caudal vertebra Neural arches, transverse processes, and zygapophyses diminish caudally, so
that the last vertebrae consist only of centra
 PELVIC GIRDLE AND HINDLIMB
Pelvic Ilium Most dorsal and largest of the three components of the hip bone, articulates
Girdle with the sacrum and terminates anteriorly and dorsally in a curved border,
termed the crest of the ilium
Ischium Part of the dorsal region of the girdle posterior to the acetabulum.
Pubis The anterior ventral part of the innonimate bone, and the two pubis also have
rami meeting to form the pubic symphysis.
Hindlimb Femur Has a head, a greater trochanter lateral to the head, and a lesser trochanter
below the head. The large articulating surfaces at the distal end of the femur
are condyles (medial and lateral); and they bear additional elevations or
roughened areas, the epicondyles.
Patella Located anteriorly at the knee joint.
Tibia The anterior face of the tibia presents a crest; its proximal articulating surfaces
are known as condyles; its distal ones as malleoli.
Fibula Slender and lateral to the tibia.
Tarsals Calcaneus (fibulare) Largest and most conspicuous, which projects backward as the heel.
Astralagus (talus) Articulating with the malleoli of the tibia and fibula.
Navicular (scaphoid) Anterior to the astralagus; a curved bone reaching to the medial side of the
foot.
Cuboid Directly anterior of the calcaneus, articulating with the fourth and fifth
metatarsals.
Third or lateral Medial to the cuboid, articulating with the third metatarsal.
cuneiform
Intermediate Medial to the lateral cuneiform, articulating twith the fourth and fifth
cuneiform (2nd tarsale) metatarsals.
Medial cuneiform Along the medial border of the anterior part of the ankle in front of the
(1st tarsale) navicular, articulates with the small rudimentary first metatarsal, which lies
directly in front of it.
Metatarsal Metatarsals Four long metatarsals and one rudimentary one (the first) on the medial or
ventral side of the proximal end of the second metatarsal.
Phalanges Phalanges Terminal phalanges of the digits are curiously beak-shaped.
 PECTORAL GIRDLE, STERNUM, FORELIMB
Coracoid Precoracoid Vanished in all placental mammals.
Coracoid Reduced to a projection on the scapula.
Pectoral Clavicle Small, slender bones imbedded in muscle; and, as they are not articulated to
Girdle any part of the skeleton, they generally fall off in prepared skeletons.
Scapula Large, flat triangular bones above the anterior ribs.
Sternum Sternum Consists of a longitudinal series of pieces, the sternebrae – six in the cat.
Manubrium as the first sternebra and xiphisternum as the last sternebra and
terminates with a cartilaginous xiphoid or ensiform cartilage.
Forelimb Humerus Has a large, rounded head fitting into the glenoid fossa and greater and lesser
tuberosities at the sides of the head. The anterior surface of the humerus below
the tuberosities is slightly elevated into ridges or crests, which serve as points
of muscle attachment. Lower end is rounded for articulation with the bones of
the forearm and is divided into two portions – capitulum and trochlea. Above
the capitulum is a projecting ridge, the lateral epicondyle; and a similar medial
epicondyle is situated above the trochlea.
Forearm Radius Smaller; crosses obliquely in front of the ulna.
Ulna The proximal end forms a prominent projection, the olecranon or elbow. Distal
to this is a deep semicircular concavity, the semilunar notch, which articulates
with the trochlea of the humerus. The distal border of the notch forms another
projection, the coronoid process.
Carpals Scapholunar Articulating with the distal end of the radius.
Triquetral bone Lateral to the lunate portion or bone and articulating with the ulna.
(ulnare)
Pisiform The element projecting prominently lateral to the triquetral bone. A sesamoid
bone, which is a bone formed in a tendon.
Greater multangular The distal row of pieces beginning at the medial side and proceeding laterally.
(first carpale) These carpales are situated at or near the proximal ends of their respective
Lesser multangular metacarpals. These are five metacarpals, of which the first is very much
(second carpale) reduced, and five digits whose terminal phalanges support the horny claws.
Capitate
(third carpale)
Hamate (fourth and
fifth carpales fused)