MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE LUMBAR VERTEBRAE IN LEOPARDS (Panthera pardus)

Morphology of the lumbar vertebra of leopard was studied using two specimens. The lumbar vertebrae were seven in number. The transverse diameter of long, massive vertebral bodies increased from the first to the last vertebrae. The caliber of the vertebral canal increased caudally. The spinous process was cranially inclined except in the last vertebra which was vertical. The transverse process of the first vertebra was very short but those of the other vertebrae were long and overlapped the preceeding vertebrae which directed ventrally and cranially. The length of the transverse processes increased up to sixth lumbar vertebrae. The mammilloarticular processes were present on all lumbar vertebrae and were distinct on the caudal vertebrae. The first five lumbar vertebrae showed accessory processes that were very large in the first lumbar vertebra.