Osteometry of the Ossa Sesamoidea Phalangis Proximalis in Cattle (bos Primigenius F. Taurus Linne 1758)

Cerveny C.: Osteometry of the Ossa Sesamoidea Phalangis Proximalis in Cattle (Bos primigenius f. taurus Linne 1758). Acta vet. Brno, 54, 1985: 119-128. The sesamoid bones of the proximal phalanges of the digits from 14 bovine females of the Bohemian Spotted cattle were subject to osteometric examination. Statistical significance of four characteristics was studied. There was no statistical significance in the weight and diameter differences. Highly significant differences were recorded for the maximum height values when comparing the abaxial sesamoid bones of the proximal phalanges of the fourth and third digits from the thoracic limbs and the maximum width when comparing the abaxial sesamoid bones of the proximal phalanges of the third and fourth digits from the pelvic limbs. Also the width values for the abaxial sesamoid bones of the proxitnal phalanges of the third digits from the thoracic limbs and the abaxial sesamoid bones of the proximal phalanges of the third digits from the pelvic limbs showed highly significant differences. Likewise, the differences in the maximum height values between the abaxial sesamoid bone of the Pfoxitnal phalanx of the fourth digit and the abaxial sesamoid bone of the proximal phalanx of the third digit on the pelvic limbs showed statistical significance. Similar relations were recorded between the abaxial sesamoid bones of the proximal phalanx of the fourth and third digits on the thoracic limb. Also the difference between the maximum height values of the axial sesamoid bone of the proximal phalanx of the third digit from the thoracic limb and the axial sesamoid bone of the proximal phalanx of the third digit from the thoracic limb and the axial sesamoid bone of the proximal phalanx of the third digit from the pelvic limb was statistically significant. The osteometric findings on the sesamoid bones of the proxitnal phalanges of the cattle digits form a complement to anatomical characteristics and are another criterion for differentiation and identification of these bones. Cattle, digits, ossa sesamoidea phaiangis proximalis, osteometry. The proxitnal phalangeal sesamoid bones of digits of cattle, sheep, goat, horse and dog are a regular component of their skeleton (NiCkel et a!. 1977). In cattle, their ossification centres appear late in the intrauterine life (Vokken and Tarasov, 1968: Lindsay 1969). Cerveny (1983) found a regular sequence in their appearance. The first to appear is the ossification centre of the axial sesamoid bone of the pr-oxitnal phalanx of the fourth digit, followed by the ossification centre of the axial sesamoid bone of the proximal phalanx of the third digit and that of the abaxial sesamoid bone of the proxitnal phalanx of the fourth digit. And the last to appear is the ossification centre of the abaxial sesamoid bone ofthe third digit. This sequence is common for all limbs, with advanced appearance of ossification centres of the pelvic limbs compared to the thoracic limbs. Basic anatomical data of these stnall bones in cattle are given in both the classical and modern text books of veterinary anatomy (Martin and Schauder 1934; Kolda 1936; Ellenberger and Baum 1943; Sisson and Grossman 1947; Vokken 1961; Barone 1966; Getty 1975; Nickel et a1. 1977). However, the data in these textbooks are not accurate enough to provide criteria for differentiation of the bones and determination of their location and origin with respect to the .different digits of the limbs. These problems were discussed by Cerveny (1985) who established, on the basis of detailed description of outer characteristics, criteria for their differentiation. The purpose