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CT examination of the manipulation system in the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca )
Author(s) -
ENDO HIDEKI,
HAYASHI YOSHIHIRO,
YAMAGIWA DAISHIRO,
KUROHMARU MASAMICHI,
KOIE HIROSHI,
YAMAYA YOSHIKI,
KIMURA JUNPEI
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1469-7580
pISSN - 0021-8782
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1999.19520295.x
Subject(s) - anatomy , ailuropoda melanoleuca , wrist , phalanx , condyle , volume rendering , sesamoid bone , computer science , biology , radiography , medicine , artificial intelligence , rendering (computer graphics) , surgery , ecology
The manipulation mechanism of the giant panda ( Ailuropida melanoleuca ) was examined by means of CT (computed tomography) and 3‐dimensional (3‐D) Volume Rendering techniques. In the 3‐D images of the giant panda hand, not only the bones but also the muscular system was visualised. Sections of the articulated skeleton were obtained. It was demonstrated that the hand of the panda is equipped with separately moulded manipulation units as follows: (1) the radial sesamoid (RS), the radial carpal, and the first metacarpal (R–R–M) complex; and (2) the accessory carpal (AC) and the ulnar (A–U) complex. When the giant panda grasps anything, the R–R–M complex strongly flexes at the wrist joint, the RS becomes parallel with the AC, and the phalanges bend and hold the object. It is shown that the well‐developed opponens pollicis and abductor pollicis brevis muscles envelop and fix the objects between the R–R–M complex and the phalanges during grasping.