Avian structure Flashcards
Label the picture:
What are 3 structural flight adaptations?
No teeth, less bones, pneumatic bones
What kind of fractures are common? How can this be used to determine how acute/chronic a fracture is?
Open fractures common
By determining how dry the bone is in an open fracture you can get an idea of how chronic or acute the fracture is
Where is the majority of the muscle mass concentrated in birds?
Core–muscles become scarce towards distal ends
What are the names of the first two joints along a bird’s spine?
Atlanto-occipital joint
Atlanto-axial joint
What allows birds to turn their heads almost completely around like tiny little demon creatures?
Single occipital condyle
(Also they have way more vertebrae)
T/F: Bird necks are 2.5x longer than mammals. The neck and beak replace the need for forelimbs.
TRUE
Why are spinal fractures common in birds?
They have a loose vertebrae in between the notarium (thoracic) and synsacrum
What is the arrow pointing to? What is it’s main purpose?
Sternum
Supports respiration
Which bony structure is used for body condition scoring in birds?
Sternum (keel)
What is the main function of avian ribs?
Support respiration
Which bones are the arrows pointing to?
Identify the coracoid, clavicle, and scapula
Which muscle is larger: pectoralis or supracoracoideus? Why are they different sizes?
The pectoralis muscle is a downstroke muscle–it is larger than the supracoracoideus (upstroke) because birds need more power to fight wind and gravity during downstrokes
What kind of bone is the humerus?
Pneumatic
Can you flush (irrigate) a pneumatic bone for wound care?
Yes, but be careful and gentle!
How do the radius and ulna differ in birds? Why?
There is no weight-loading need so the radius is smaller while flight feathers need a large bone to attach to, so the ulna is bigger
Can a catheter be used in the ulna?
Yes, an intra-osseous catheter
How do you extend a bird’s wing during a physical exam?
Hold the elbow and wrist (DO NOT HOLD FEATHERS)
What is the arrow/arrow head pointing to?
Label the picture:
From top to bottom:
Femur
Knee
Tibia
What uneducated people mistake for the knee
Tarsus
Can you place an intraosseous catheter into the tibiotarsus?
Yes!
What is the circled structure?
Tarsometatarsus
T/F: The median metatarsal vein is used for venipuncture
TRUE
