Gross anatomical studies on the sternum of crow (Corvus splendens)

Gross anatomical features of the sternum in crow (Corvus splendens) was studied using specimens collected from birds brought for post-mortem at the Department of Pathology in the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. The sternum was extensive and extremely thin with a total length of 4.63 ± 0.11 cm and width 2.65 ± 0.11 cm. The large ventrally directed keel or carina was triangular in shape, wide cranially (1.29 ± 0.08 cm) and narrow and tapering caudally for attachment of flight muscles. The manubrial spine was of moderate size, projecting from the rostral most border of sternum and bifid cranially. The cranial border of the body of the sternum showed well developed, elongated transversely directed facets for articulation with the distal extremity of coracoid bones. Lateral borders of the body presented five costal facets on either side for articulation with the sternal ribs. The body of sternum was roughly rectangular in shape and showed a pair of short craniolateral and long caudolateral processes. The caudal border was straight and presented on either side a 'U' shaped notch between the caudolateral process and lateral border of body. The dorsal surface was concave from sides to midline and there were several pneumatic foramina arranged linearly on the midline for communication with airsacs. The anatomical peculiarities of sternum in the crow may be correlated with its flight adaptations and scavenging behaviour of the species.