Anatomical Studies on the Vertebral Column of Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak)

The vertebral column of barking deer was comprised of 35 segments. The supraspinous process of atlas was represented by a raised tubercle separated by a prominent ridge. Axis had wider dens. The third cervical vertebra had crest like supraspinous process which increased posteriorly. The 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae were characterized by the presence of a tubercle midway along the outer margin of the bony plate. The body of 13th thoracic vertebra was longer and constricted in the middle with strongly curved anterior and posterior extremities. The elongated plate like transverse processes of 6th lumbar vertebra were flattened dorso-ventrally and projected downward and forward. The fusion of completely fused five sacral vertebrae had two dorsal and four ventral sacral foramina. Key words: Anatomy, Barking deer, Vertebral column The vertebral column is the fundamental part of the skeleton. It consists of a chain of median unpaired, irregular bones which extend from the skull to the end of the tail. It helps to divide the body into various regions. Paucity of available literature on gross morphology of the