Gross anatomy of the lumbar plexus of magpie (Pica pica) and chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)

Abstract

In poultry, the nervous system has many differences among species. The intumescentia lumbosacralis is one of the enlargements of the medulla spinalis, and the lumbosacral plexus originates from here. The nerves which are responsible for the innervation of the hind limbs and pelvic region originate in the lumbosacral plexus. The aim of this study was to compare the lumbar plexus (plexus lumbalis) of magpies (Pica pica) and chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar). In the present study, 20 magpies and 20 chukar partridges were used. The nerves that form the lumbar plexus were dissected separately and photographed in both species. In both studied species, the lumbar plexus was formed by the ventral rami of the second, third, and fourth synsacral spinal nerves at the ventrolateral part of the synsacrum. It was noted that the nervus (n.) cutaneus femoris, n. coxalis cranialis, n. femoralis, n. saphenus, and n. obturatorius originate from this plexus. In conclusion, in both species, the formation of the lumbar plexus and the nerves that originate from this plexus are similar to each other and similar to many winged species. There are also some minimal differences.