Morphological and morphometrical anatomy of the auditory ossicles in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Abstract

Abstract The study provides a series of distinctive morphological features of the auditory ossicles alongside comparative morphometric data, bringing facts in respect to morphology and some morpho-functional elements of the auditory ossicles in this little-studied species. The most relevant features noted are evident conical shape of muscular process of malleus and triangular aspect of the handle of malleus. For the incus, a short body of the bone and the direct continuation is mentioned, with no clear distinction as an individualized piece for the lenticular process. As for the stapes, the clear profiling of the muscular tubercle for the stapedial muscle and elliptic shape of the foot of the stapes is noted. A series of comparative measurements and indices are also calculated in the attempt of profiling differences from the domestic couterspecies- sheep and goat.