Nikitov V. Biomorphology of the muscular and skeletal structures of the knee joint of some species of birds

The dissertation represents the data concerning characteristics of shape and length of femur, tibiotarsus, fibula and patella of 86 species of birds that belong to the 20 orders. It is based on the osteological, osteometric and X-ray investigations of the skeletal components of the knee joint. The peculiarities of the width and length of the distal femoral epiphysis, its lateral and medial condyles, supracondylaris, sulcus intercondylaris and sulcus patellaris, trochlea fibularis and fossa poplitea were established. The peculiarities of the length and width of the proximal epiphysis of tibiatarsus, differences in crista patellaris, crista cnemialis lateralis and cranialis, fossa retropatellaris, incissura tibiotarsus, medial and lateral articular surfaces of its proximal epiphysis were determined among the species. The presence or absence of patella in birds, and the peculiarities of its form were detected. The features of the length of fibula, the shape, width and length of its head among the species were determined. The ratio of the compact substance of bone's diaphysis of the knee joint and patterns of location of sponge substance in epiphysis of tibiotarsus, femur and fibula bones were found. Interspecific differences of points of fixation, stages of development and differentiation of muscles that act on the knee joint, including m. iliofibularis, m. flexor cruris lateralis and medialis, m. pubo-ischio-femoralis, m. externus and m. internus femoro-tibialis, m. iliotibialis cranialis, m. iliotibialis lateralis, m. intermedius femoro-tibialis and m. anbiens were detected by usage of anatomical dissection.