Avian cranio-cervical systems. Part II: Arthrology of the occipito-cervical system in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L.).

Abstract

The arthrology of the muscle-bone apparatus of the occipito-cervical system in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L.) was analysed by dissection and from histological microsections of an in toto embedded occipito-atlanto-axial apparatus. The description is primarily concerned with ligaments, membranes and fibrocartilages which were so far incompletely analysed. Several newly described elements such as the ligamentum atlantooccipitale laterale and the ligamentum ventromediale atlantoaxiale were added, as well as additional aspects such as the accurately described attachments, course and shape of most of the studied elements.