Gross Anatomical Studies on the Os-Coxae of the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Abstract

The os-coxae was collected from the black swan by wet maceration method to study its gross anatomical features. The os-coxae was formed by ilium, ischium and pubis which were fused together and located on either side of the lumbo sacral mass. The ilium was elongated in shape and presented four borders and two surfaces. Canalis ilioneurales was not noticed. Posterior border of the ilium showed a small caudal process. The ischium was flat and located below and lateral to the post acetabular part of ilium. The pubis was a thin bony rod situated along the ventral border of ischium and projected further backwards and downwards. Caudal extremity of the pubis was in the form of a thin circular plate. Pectineal process was not observed. All the three bones were involved in the formation of acetabulum.