Caudal vertebrae
Caudal vertebrae ( Vertebrae caudales ) are the vertebrae in the area of the tail in vertebrates . In humans, the caudal vertebrae are rudimentary and fused to form the coccyx . The number of caudal vertebrae varies depending on the species, and there are also breed variations in domestic animals. The tail vertebrae are the bony basis of the tail and serve as the base of the tail muscles .
Compared to the other vertebrae of the spine , the extensions of the caudal vertebrae - especially towards the tip of the tail - are more reduced: While the first caudal vertebrae still resemble lumbar vertebrae , the rear ones are only simple conical structures. The vertebral arches no longer close completely at the rear caudal vertebrae, so that the vertebral canal is open on the back (dorsal). In some mammals - for example predators and cattle - the caudal vertebrae have downwardly directed processes on both sides, the hemal processes . These can close at their ends to form hemal arches ( arcus hemales ) through which the median caudal artery runs. In birds, the last caudal vertebrae have grown together to form a pygostyle (→ bird skeleton ).
The openings between the vertebral arches ( Spatia interarcualia ) of the first two caudal vertebrae can be used for epidural anesthesia .
literature
- F.-V. Salomon: Bony skeleton . In: Salomon, F.-V. ua (Hrsg.): Anatomie für die Tiermedizin. Enke-Verlag, Stuttgart, 2nd ext. Edition 2008, pp. 37–110. ISBN 978-3-8304-1075-1