Med. Weter. 82 (12), 601-607, 2026
full text
| ÖMER GÜRKAN DILEK, ERDI TOPUZ, GÜLCIHAN AYBIKE DILEK KART, MAŁGORZATA KOMAR, RADOSŁAW SZALAK, ROSEN DIMITROV, KAMELIA STAMATOVA-YOVCHEVA, MEHMET ERSEN, DAVID YOVCHEV, EMINE KARAKURUM |
| Computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvic limb anatomy in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera ) |
| The chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) is an increasingly important companion and laboratory animal whose pelvic limb plays a crucial role in locomotion and jumping. Despite the availability of classical anatomical descriptions, detailed computed tomographic investigations of the pelvic limb remain limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the osseous anatomy and muscular topography of the chinchilla pelvic limb using computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques. Twelve clinically healthy adult chinchillas (18 months of age, body weight 0.6-0.7 kg) were examined using a 16-slice multidetector spiral CT scanner. Animals were anesthetized with intramuscular Zoletil® 50 (15 mg/kg) and scanned in dorsal recumbency. Multiplanar reconstructions and three-dimensional models were generated using dedicated imaging software. The pelvic girdle, femur, tibia, fibula, distal pelvic limb skeleton and major muscle groups were evaluated anatomically according to Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (2017). Three-dimensional reconstruction demonstrated that the pelvic girdle consisted of paired hip bones formed by the os ilium, os pubis and os ischii. The tuberositas iliaca, elongated ala ossis ilii and prominent linea glutea were clearly visualized. The femur was characterized by a well-developed femoral neck, distinct trochanter major and trochanter minor, and absence of trochanter tertius. Two sesamoid bones associated with m. gastrocnemius were identified on the caudal aspect of the distal femur. The crus consisted of a well-developed tibia and a separate, non-fused fibula. Distally, metatarsal bones II-IV and their corresponding digits were visualized. CT images additionally enabled identification of the principal gluteal, femoral and crural muscle groups and their topographical relationships with adjacent skeletal structures. Computed tomography combined with three-dimensional reconstruction provides detailed visualization of the pelvic limb anatomy in Chinchilla lanigera. The technique allows reliable assessment of both skeletal structures and major muscle groups while preserving their natural anatomical relationships. The obtained findings expand the available anatomical knowledge of this species and may serve as reference data for future anatomical, orthopedic and diagnostic imaging investigations. |
| Keywords: Chinchilla lanigera, pelvic limb, computed tomography, three-dimensional reconstruction, anatomy, veterinary imaging. |