avian anatomy Flashcards
What are the key differences between the avian and mammalian musculoskeletal systems and why are these differences thought to exist?
How are primary and secondary flight feathers attached to the bones of the wing?
What is a pneumatic bone?
bones filled with air sacs that connect to the respiratory system - no bone marrow
What are the key differences between the avian and mammalian gastrointestinal tracts?
What is the function of the crop?
How and where do birds achieve chemical digestion?
How do birds achieve mechanical digestion?
What are the key differences between the avian and mammalian respiratory systems?
What is the passage of airflow from the nares to the site of gas exchange?
What is the syrinx?
What is a parabronchus?
What is an air capillary?
How does ventilation occur in birds?
How does gas exchange take place in birds?
Why is the avian respiratory system considered to be more efficient than that of mammals?
Why do birds need a respiratory system that is more efficient at capturing oxygen than that of mammals?
What are the key differences between the avian and mammalian urinary systems?
How does the structure of an avian kidney differ from that of a mammal?
What is the avian renal portal system?
How does the ability to concentrate urine differ between birds and mammals?
What is a salt gland and how does it contribute to osmoregulation?
How do birds excrete wastes via the urinary system?
How does the appearance of the urate, faecal and urine components of a bird’s dropping differ?
What are the key differences between the avian and mammalian reproductive systems?
How does the size of the testes alter during the breeding season?
What is the function of each part of the avian oviduct?
why do avian bones have a higher calcium carbonate percentage than mammalian bones?
it means they can be thinner - but makes them more brittle, need to avoid splintering when working with them
what is the synsacrum?
synsacrum = fused caudal thoracic, lumbar, sacral and some caudal vertebrae (gives the skeleton rigidity for flight)
what is the pygostyle?
fused caudal vertebrae - forms a short tail for steering
where is the maxilla?
upper beak
where is the mandible?
lower beak
where is the keel?
modified sternum
where is the ischium?
lower pelvis
where is the pubis?
funky sticky out bone
where is the pygostyle?
the fused caudal vertebrae that make the end of the tail (bishop’s nose on a roast chicken)
where is the synsacrum?
the fused lower thoracic, lumbar, sacral and some caudal vertebrae
where are the fused clavicles?
also known as the furcula - or wishbone
where are the coracoids?
short, strong bones extending from the sternum that prevent wing muscles compressing the thorax on the downstroke
where is the humerus?
here
where is the keel?
modified sternum bestie
the contraction of this muscle produces the powerful downbeat of the wings - is it the:
a. pectoralis muscle
b. supracoracoideus muscle
a. pectoralis muscle
this muscle lifts the wing for the next beat - is it the:
a. pectoralis muscle
b. supracoracoideus muscle
b. supracoracoideus muscle
where is the pectoralis muscle?
lowers the wing - big chungus muscle
where is the supracoracoideus muscle?
lifts the wing - smaller more internal muscle
where is the blade of the scapula?
a long, blade-like bone with varying length according to the flying strength of the species
where is the coracoid?
the anti thorax squish bone
where is the humerus?
as per usual
where is the carpometacarpus?
she’s now a bone?? found after the carpus
where is the radius?
the little dude
where is the ulna?
bigger dude - with the olecranon
what is the manus in anatomy?
manus - latin for hand
where is the alular digit?
first digit
where is the second digit?
big bone after carpometacarpus bone
where is the third digit?
micro bone
which feathers are attached from the carpus to the phalanges: primaries or secondaries?
primary feathers - not very movable
which feathers are attached to the ulna - primaries or secondaries?
secondaries - these have more mobility
what are patagia (singular, patagium)?
the membranes/skin folds extending between the bones of the wing. there are four in birds.
which of the four is the most clinically significant patagia (wing membrane)?
a. metapatagium
b. propatagium
c. alular patagium
d. postpatagium
b. propatagium - the flap of skin and tendons between the head of the humerus and the carpus (creates lift when the wing beats)
what is the usual parrot toe arrangement?
a. three forward, one back
b. two forward, one back
c. two forward, two back
c. two forward, two back
where is the pygostyle?
bishops nose / fused caudal vertebrae :)
where is a digit?
found after the metatarsal bone
where is the femur?
as per
where is the fibula?
skinny legend
where is the ilium?
cranial pelvis
where is the ischium?
caudal pelvis
where is a metatarsal bone?
just above the digits
where is the patella?
birdie kneecap
where is the pubis?
sticky out pelvic bone
where is the tarsometatarsus?
she’s a bone, not a joint - found below the tarsus joint
where is the tibiotarsus?
fibula’s better half - she’s a bone, not a joint (new and improved tibia?)
find the tarsometatarsus bone
here
find the tibiotarsus bone
here
find the humerus bone
here
