IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Sasaki, M.; Endo, H.; Yamamoto, M.; Arishima, K.; Hayashi, Y. | |
| The superficial layer of the _Musculus masseter_ and the well-developed process of the maxilla in the tiger | |
| 2000 Mammal Study (25): 27-34 | |
The musculature and functional anatomy of the head and skull of a tiger _Panthera tigris_ were, examined and compared with those of various other felid species. The _Musculus masseter_ is divided into three layers. The superficial layer of which is well-developed and further sub-divided into lateral and medial components. The ventro-caudal fleshy portion of the lateral component originates behind the last upper molar, where it is attached by a strong tendon to the tubercle _tuber maxillae_. The medial component, which runs dorso-ventrally, has a particularly well-developed fleshy portion. The present anatomical study suggests that in the tiger, large masseteric forces are produced in both ventro-rostral and ventro-dorsal directions. In the tiger, a process is present on the tubercle of the maxilla from which the strong tendon originates. This process is also apparent in the leopard _Panthera pardus_, the jaguar _P. onca_ and the puma _Felis concolor_. It is not found, however, in either the domestic cat _F. catus_ or the Iriomote wild cat _F. iriomotensis_. Comparisons between the skull of various species of felidae indicate that whereas the puma, the leopard and the jaguar each possess the strong tendon, which bundles the ventro-caudal fleshy portion of the lateral component, the domestic cat and the Iriomote wild cat only possess weak tendons attaching to this component. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |