Abstract

MEDEIROS-DO-NASCIMENTO, R et al. THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS IN BROWN-THROATED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus SCHINZ, 1825): A DESCRIPTIVE AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2019, vol.26, n.2, pp.399-409. ISSN 0327-9383.

Morphology studies provide knowledge that allow us to understand how animals interact with the natural environment or in captivity. The aim of this study was to describe the origin and antimeric distribution of brachial plexus nerves and the innervated muscles in Bradypus variegatus. Twelve adults three-toed sloths were used, arising from the Serra dos Órgãos National Park and Wild Animals Rehabilitation Center of Estácio de Sá University and donated to Animal and Human Anatomy Department of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The specimens were fixed in formaldehyde solution for infusion to 10%. Data were presented in absolute and percentage frequency simple. The brachial plexus originated the suprascapular, subscapular, radial, median, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves for the intrinsic musculature and the cranial pectoral nerves, caudal pectoral, lateral thoracic, long thoracic, thoracodorsal nerves for the extrinsic musculature. The spinal branches involved in the formation of the plexus were C8, C9, C10, T1 andT2. The branches that contributed most were ventral spines C8 and C9.

Keywords : anatomy; inervation; nervous system; sloths; thoracic limb.