Gross Morphometric and Radiographic Studies on the Metacarpals of Indian Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

The metacarpus of Indian Blackbuck comprised of two metacarpal bones. The large metacarpal bone consisted of fused III and IV metacarpals. The shaft of the metacarpus presented two surfaces and two borders. The dorsal surface was smooth and semi-cylindrical in outline. The palmar surface was flat in outline and it presented a deep longitudinal groove which possessed similar foramina. These foramina communicated with the similar foramina on the palmar surface through transverse canals. The proximal extremity presented two slightly concave facets, separated by a median ridge in front and a shallow groove behind. The distal extremity was divided by a dorso-palmar cleft into two condyles. The small metacarpals (splint bones) were cord like bones inblackbuck. The metacarpal II was present on palmo-medial aspect and metacarpal V was present on palmo-lateral aspect of the large metacarpal.