Radiographic description of the appendicular skeleton and pelvimetry of the sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and sloth (Choloepus didactylus)
Anatomy, Limbs, Pilosa, X-Ray.
The objective of this study was to describe the anatomical structure and accidents of the thoracic limbs of the brown-throated sloth, Bradypus variegatus, and the long bones of the lesser anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, by means of macroscopic and radiographic analyzes. The brown-throated sloth demonstrated a simpler bone structure, with few anatomical accidents, while lesser anteater presented some anatomical accidents similar to those described in other mammalian species, however, both also presented anatomical particularities, without previous description of them that were not previously described. The macroscopic and radiographic analysis revealed the same anatomical accidents, considering that the radiographic evaluations were performed in at least two orthogonal projections. Thus, from these results, the great anatomical variation of these species, in relation to other mammals, reveals that knowledge of their particularities is fundamental, especially in determining safer clinical and surgical procedures.