title: Anatomy and histology of the Fibrocartilago humerocapsularis in some species of European wild birds.
abstract: The occurrence and structure of the fibrocartilago humerocapsularis (FHC) in the shoulders of 72 subjects of various species of wild birds were evaluated by gross dissection and histological examination with the purpose of increasing the body of knowledge regarding this structure and verifying the functional hypotheses submitted in the past in other species. The results showed that the FHC has a conical shape with a narrow cavity on the inside. The structure is heterogeneous in the various species and consists of different tissues, such as hyaline cartilage, fibrous cartilage, and bone. From the data obtained in this study, there does not appear to be any correlation between ossification and the weight of the prey lifted, wing shape, and aging. This study also provided interesting preliminary data regarding the ossification of the FHC. In fact, in the Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix), the ossification seemed to be correlated with the mechanical stimulation of flying. Additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Bologna - Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40046, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy; University Museum System, University of Bologna - Via Zamboni 33, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canova
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bombardi
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Sordi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clavenzani
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grandis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Fibrocartilago humerocapsularis; anatomy; sesamoid bone; shoulder; wild birds