Gross Anatomical features and Osteometric measurements of the Humerus of Indigenous Poultry of Poonch Region

Abstract

The present study revealed the gross morphology and osteometric parameters of the humerus in indigenous poultry of the Poonch region (N=06). The humerus was a long pneumatic bone with broad, cranio caudally flattened proximal extremity. It presented transversely elongated head with two distinct tubercles. Ventral tubercle was larger than the dorsal one and was separated from the head by a distinct bicipital groove. The pneumatic foramen was located below the ventral tubercle. The dorsal tubercle continued as a prominent lateral delto-pectoral crest, whereas the bicipital crest originated from the ventral tubercle. The shaft was cylindrical and slightly S-shaped. The distal extremity consisted of a larger lateral ulnar condyle and a smaller medial radial condyle separated by inter-condylar groove. The ulnar epicondyle was larger than the radial one. The caudal aspect of distal extremity presented olecranon fossa whereas brachial fossa was located cranially. Osteometric data revealed consistent bilateral symmetry. The proximal extremity exhibited the greatest width, while the shaft showed the least. The humeral head exhibited an elongated shape, as indicated by an eccentricity value close to 1. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between humeral length and midshaft width. A significant negative correlation was observed between the smaller diameter of the humeral head and the e-value. These findings provided baseline anatomical and morphometric data that will be valuable for comparative anatomy, breed characterization, and functional adaptation studies in indigenous poultry, contributing to veterinary education and avian skeletal research.