Cat Bones

Axial Skeleton

Skull

Skull Lateral View

The sagittal crest lies along the middorsal line

of the interparietal bone. It is continuous with
the nuchal crest (lamboidal ridge) of the
occipital bone.
The occipital condyles are the points at which
the skull articulates with the vertebral column
Two large cavities are seen in this view. The
anterior one houses the eye and the posterior
one provides space for the coronoid process of
the dentary.

Posterolateral View

The small hole seen at the anterior margin of

the orbit is the tear duct and is bounded by the
lacrimal bone.

The dentary is formed by the fusion of two

bones. Seven teeth are located on each side of
the dentary (3 incisors, a canine, 2 premolars
and 1 molar ).

The condyloid process is the point of

articulation with the mandibular fossa of the
temporal bone.

Dentary (Mandible)
(Lateral view)

Extending above the condyloid process is the

coronoid process, which serves as a point of
attachment for muscles that function in closing
the mouth. The large indented area on the
lateral surface of the jaw below the coronoid
process provides an additional point of
attachment for these muscles.

Vertebral Column

Atlas
(Anteroventral view)

The atlas is the first cervical

vertebra. The prezygapophyses of
this bone articulate with the
occipital condyles on the occipital
bone. This articulation allows the
cat to nod its head and cock it to
the side but it does not allow for
much rotation. This is the job of the
axis.

The axis is characterized by the large flattened

spine that overlaps the atlas.
The odontoid process of the axis provides a
center around which the atlas can pivot; thus
allowing for rotation of the head.
The prezygapophyses provide a smooth
articulating surface on which rotation occurs.
Axis
(Lateral View)

The articular surface of the postzygapophyses

are oriented ventrally.

Note the ventral orientation of

the postzygapophyses.

Cervical Vertebra
(Posterior view)

The transverse foramina lie

along the sides of the body of
the vertebra and are
characteristic of all vertebrae
from this region with the
exception of the seventh.

The seventh cervical vertebra does not have

transverse foramina and in many ways appears
similar to thoracic vertebrae, but unlike
thoracic vertebrae it does not have articular
surfaces for rib attachment.
Thoracic vertebrae like the one on the right are
characterized by facets and demifacets. These
depressions are the points where ribs
articulate.

Transitional Cervical and First Thoracic Vertebrae

(Ventral view)

On the first thoracic vertebra the

postzygapophyses are oriented
ventrolaterally.
The two points at which the ribs
articulate are indicated by the red
and blue arrows.
The costal facets are located on the
transverse processes and the
demifacets are located on the
centrum.
First Thoracic Vertebra
(Posterior view)

Note how the postzygapophyses have

moved to a more medial location than on
the first thoracic vertebra. This is their
location on all but the last three or four
thoracic vertebrae.
On the transitional thoracic vertebrae, at
the posterior end, the postzygapophyses
are oriented more laterally.

Second Thoracic Vertebra

(Posterior view)

The first lumbar vertebra articulates with the similarly

shaped last thoracic vertebrae, which lacks the enlarged
flattened transverse processes characteristic of the
lumbar vertebrae.
The last lumbar vertebra articulates with the sacrum.
Lumbar Vertebrae
(Lateral view)

The prezygapophyses are oriented

dorsolaterally and the postzygapophyses are
oriented ventrolaterally.

In addition, these vertebrae have an enlarged

centrum.

Note the similarity in these two vertebrae.

Both have their postzygapophyses oriented
laterally and the dorsal spines are similar in
structure.

The major difference in the two is the

presence of flattened transverse processes
on the lumbar vertebra and demifacets on
the thoracic vertebra
Last Thoracic & First Lumbar Vertebrae
(Lateral view)

In the ventral view, the

modifications are more
prominent. The demifacets
articulate with the heads of the
thirteenth pair of ribs.

Last Thoracic & First Lumbar Vertebrae

(Ventral view)

The sacrum is composed of three fused

vertebrae.
It articulates with the innominate bone at the
point indicated by the green arrow.

Sacrum
(Lateral view)

Like the lumbar vertebrae, the points of

articulation of the prezygapophyses are
oriented dorsomedially and the
postzygapophyses are oriented ventrolaterally.

The postzygapophyses are not visible in

this view. The sacrum articulates with
caudal vertebrae at the point indicated
by the red arrow and the lumbar
vertebrae at the point indicated by the
blue arrow.

Sacrum
(Dorsal view)

Sacrum and Caudal Vertebrae

(Dorsal view)

Note how the size and shape of the

vertebrae changes from the sacrum on the
left toward the tip of the tail. Near the tip
of the tail they are very small and
cylindrical in shape.

Ribs
Cats have thirteen pairs of ribs. The first 9 of these attach to the
ventral sternum by way of costal cartilage. The next three pairs are
variably attached to each other and the sternum and the thirteenth
pair are floating ribs and have no association with the sternum.

The major features of a rib are the head, neck

and tubercle.
Note how in a posterior view the tubercle
angles posteriorly.
To determine the side a rib originates from hold
the rib so the head is oriented medially and the
tubercle angles toward you. In this position, the
hand you are holding the rib in is the side of
the cat it came from. If the tubercle does not
angle toward you, you are holding the rib in the
wrong hand.
Right Rib
(Posterior view)

13 Ribs from the Right Side

(Posterior view)

Note how the ribs change moving

posteriorly. The size of the tubercle
decreases and is absent on the last three
ribs.

Sternum

The individual bones that comprise the

sternum are known as sternebra. These are
connected to the ribs by the costal
cartilage.
A spear shaped manubrium is at the
anterior end and the xiphoid process is at
the posterior end of the sternum.

(Ventral view) Sternum

(Ventral view)

Cat Bones
Appendicular Skeleton

Forelimb and Girdle

The spine of the scapula divides the lateral

surface into the anterior supraspinous fossa
and the posterior infraspinous fossa.
The acromion is a finger-like extension of the
spine that points ventrally. The larger
metacromion extends to the posterior. These
two processes are important sites for muscle
attachment.
Scapula (left & right)
(Lateral view)

In this view the acromion is clearly visible as an

extension of the spine .

The head of the humerus articulates with the

scapula at the glenoid fossa.

Scapula (left & right)

(Dorsal view)

The medial surface of the scapula is

often ridged.

The glenoid fossa and metacromion are

clearly visible.
Scapula (left & right)
(Medial view)

The proximal ends of the bones are oriented toward the

bottom of the screen. The proximal end of each bone
articulates with the scapula.
The pectoral and deltoid ridges are important points of
muscle attachment. The pectoral ridge extends from
the greater tubercle along the medial edge of the bone
and the deltoid ridge extends from the greater tubercle
along the lateral edge of the bone.
The supracondylar foramen is an opening in the distal
end of the bone through which both blood vessels and
nerves pass.
Left --------- Right
Humerus
(Anterior view)

In the posterior view, the head of

the humerus is clearly seen. The
smooth, rounded head articulates
with the glenoid fossa of the
scapula.
The indentation (red arrow) on the
distal end of the humerus allows
for the lever-like motion of the
forelimb. When the limb is
extended the olecranon of the
ulna moves into this groove.
Left --------- Right
Humerus
(Posterior view)

In this view, the distal portions of the radius and

ulna are toward the top of the screen.

The lower part of the forelimb is composed of two

bones: the radius and the ulna. When articulated as
shown on the right, the radius passes over the
anterior surface of the ulna.
The trochlear notch is the point where the humerus
articulates with the ulna and the radial notch is the
point where the ulna articulates with the head of
the radius. The articulation of the radius and ulna
provide for rotation of the paw.
Left --------- Right
Radius and Ulna
(Lateral view)

Hindlimb and Girdle

Posterior

Left & Right Innominate Bones

(Ventral view)

The two innominate bones articulate along the midventral line

to form the pelvic girdle.
Each bone is composed of three fused bones: the ileum (1), the
pubis (2), and the ischium (3). The pubic symphysis is the line
where the two innominate bones articulate.

The red arrows indicate where the innominate articulates with

the sacrum.

The cup-like acetabulum is the point where the innominates

articulate with the femur, forming the hip joint.
The ishial tuberosities and iliac crests are important points of
muscle attachment
Anterior

Distal End

The head of the femur fits into the acetabulum of the

innominate bone and allows a fair degree of
rotational flexibility in the hip joint.
The greater trochanter is an important site for muscle
attachment.
The smaller lesser trochanter is also a site of muscle
attachment.
The patella fits into the groove at the distal anterior
surface of the bone. The rounded condyles on the
distal posterior surface of the femur are the points at
which it articulates with the tibia.

Right Femur (Anterior view)

Left Femur (Posterior view)

Distal End

The medial malleolus forms the medial margin of

the ankle. The lateral margin is formed by the
lateral malleolus of the fibula.
The proximal, anterior surface of the tibia is angular
and is an important site of muscle attachment,
while the posterior margin is flattened.
In the posterior view, note the prominent, cupped
surfaces where the tibia articulates with the femur.

Left Tibia (Anterior view)

Right Tibia (Posterior view)

Distal End

The long slender fibula lies lateral to the tibia.

The lateral malleolus orients toward the posterior
when the bone is properly positioned. It forms the
lateral surface of the ankle.

Left & Right Fibula

(Lateral view)